Ten newspaper publishers last week sued online advertising network Gator to stop it from running pop-up ads on their sites without permission.
The publishers, including The New York Times Co., Dow Jones & Co. and The Washington Post Co., said that Gator, Redwood City, CA, violates their copyright, thus depriving them of revenue.
Gator’s software manages passwords and fills out forms for online users who download its application through other file-sharing programs. The company also monitors surfing behavior for targeted pop-up ads. It has 10 million users.
The Interactive Advertising Bureau last year sued Gator for selling banner ads that camouflaged those sold by Internet publishers. Both organizations later settled.
Gator will defend its case against the newspaper publishers, who filed the suit June 25 in an Alexandria, VA, federal court.
