Broadband Advisor

Accused spyware company Zango has withdrawn its legal complaints against PC Tools, with both parties claiming victory.

PC Tools, an Australian security software maker, was allegedly flagging and removing Zango's software applications off computers without the user's express consent, according to Zango.

"Zango has realised they were not going to prevail in this matter [and] we believe the case should not have been brought in the first place," said Simon Clausen, chief executive officer at PC Tools.

Zango explained the reasons behind dropping the suit on its website, citing a change PC Tools had made to their software that no longer removes or blocks Zango applications.

However, PC Tools said the lawsuit was just a grab for media attention and they had already reclassified Zango's software prior to the lawsuit.

"Zango [has] conceded defeat by voluntarily withdrawing its proceedings," said a statement from PC Tools.

In June this year a U.S. District Judge dismissed Zango's main complaint made in the lawsuit, that PC Tools was unfairly damaging Zango's business image by classifying their applications as adware.

The Judge pointed out the previous notoriety of Zango's software and similar classifications made by other anti-spyware companies.