What's the legal situation with spyware?

I'm running Peer Guardian as well as my own Firewall, and keep getting incoming requests from a company called 'DoubleClick'. I often remove spware with ad-aware and also have spywareblaster running, but these devils keep coming back...

This damn 'DoubleClick' wont go away? Are they allowed to do this, what are they after, what can they do etc etc

Also, are companies allowed to do it ie say if you were downloading a movie or the like?

Thanks

In Win2K (and maybe XP?) you also needs to disable the alerter service, else you'll still be inundated with unwanted popups. :(

(Info courtesy : SpyBot)

Company: DoubleClick
Product: Cookie
Threat: Tracking cookie or cookie of tracking site

Company URL: http://www.doubleclick.com/
Company privacy URL: http://www.doubleclick.com/us/corporate/privacy/privacy/default.asp?asp_object_1=&

Description:
Use information about your web surfing… that could include any information, like accounts and passwords.

Privacy Statement:
No personal information is used by DoubleClick to deliver Internet ads.
DoubleClick does not use your name, address, email address, or phone number to deliver Internet ads. DoubleClick does use information about your browser and web surfing to determine which ads to show your browser.

Go to "Adminidtrative Tools">>>"Services" and locate "Messenger". Double click on it to view the properties. "Stop" and then "Disable" this service in order to stop receiving "Messenger Spam Pop-ups". Or simply disable it and reboot.

Thanks. But the question still remains...are companies like 'DoubleClick' allowed to do this?

Didnt gator or gain or something similar get sued for crap like this? I dont think anybody can do something to them, unless someone bombs there site.

Originally posted by WARP MAN
Thanks. But the question still remains...are companies like 'DoubleClick' allowed to do this?

Yes, how do you think the internet stays "free" someone has to do some sort of business in order to get paid, the popup companies make deals with websites inorder for theyre product or service to reach a wider range of consumers in exchange for a fee.

Double click is a New York based internet advertising company and is about the largest of it's kind, and has offices in most countries.

There have been numerous complaints for years and a few court cases are outstanding, however, they have defeated them so far.

Do what I do, look up the company director and send him some emails.
It's been a while since I sent him some.

The great thing is his, idiot staff actually write back and try to explain the merits of this wonderful company.

Enjoy.