Maybe there is hope for the US legal system yet. If we can get more sensible rulings like this one perhaps the tide will eventually turn. Now they just need to counterfile against Zango for legal fees. Make it hurt!

Is this close to the end for them, at least in their present incarnation? Of course, crudware (I like that) makers can roll out "product" faster than security tools can update them. What we need is consumer education. If people wouldn't load it, they'd go away.

Unfortunately it is unlikely this will stop them from continuing their dodgy software distribution. It's an extremely profitable business, so what they'll probably end up doing is simply try to relabel their products to escape detection.

Kudos for PC Tools and the Judge for sticking their guns and delivering the morally correct judgment. Hopefully this will deter future frivolous lawsuits of a similar nature.

What we need to watch out for though, is whether they'll purchase a bill from Congress to reverse this decision. Congress continues to show it's willingness to deal with the highest bidder, and it's vitally important that either no law regarding spyware is produced - or if we must have one, it protects companies like PC Tools from being sued.