Symantec Sues Hotbar

Antivirus vendor Symantec has filed suit against Hotbar. Rather than seeking damages, Symantec is instead "petitioning for a declaratory judgment by the court affirming Symantec's assertion that certain Hotbar program files are indeed adware and can be treated as computer security risks." In other words, the right to label Hotbar as adware, notify the user of its presence, and provide a means to remove it if the user so wishes.

Hotbar develops toolbars and plug-ins for the browser and email client that, among other things, deliver pop-ups and other forms of advertising to the user's PC.

Why such drastic measures? In recent months, Hotbar has issued several Cease & Desist letters (and in one case, a Cease & Decease letter) to anti-spyware vendors and others who label Hotbar as adware. Such threats even prompted Microsoft to petition for changes to the current spyware bills recently passed through Congress.

Symantec news release
Spyware bills miss heart of problem
How to remove adware & spyware