Microsoft Spyware?

For those of you too lazy or scared to sign up for automatic Windows updates, you may have had a point all along. Two separate lawsuits recently challened Microsoft's automatic download of its Windows Genuine Advantage applet, as a "high priority" download.

The first suit, the Complaint for which can be found at http://dw.com.com/redir?destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fseattlepi.nwsource.com%2Fdayart%2F20060629%2Fmsftwgasuit.pdf&siteId=3&oId=/Microsoft+draws+fire+for+stealth+test+program/2100-1029_3-6083204.html&ontId=10784&lop=nl.ex , challenged the download of a program which reports a user's IP address and whether or not the running version of Windows is legal.

On the heels of this suit, another was brought, again challenging the program under a variety of statutes, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Consumer Protection Act and the Computer Spyware Act. The Suit also claims that Microsoft engaged in intentional misrepresentation of the software program.

Read more at http://news.com.com/2100-1014_3-6090651.html