Porn bill firm opens new front
I wrote about Micro Bill Systems (MBS) of Leeds twice in the Guardian last year – here we go again!
Since My PC is being held to ransom (March) and Legal wrangles over porn billing software (May), there’s been a steady stream of e-mails from readers. Hardly a week passes by without – your e-mails should be sent to tech@guardian.co.uk
My cover story today – Porn bill firm opens new front – in the Guardian newspaper’s technology section takes another look at Micro Bill Systems and the attitudes of anti-virus companies towards the online billing system for porn sites. It also reveals how MBS plans to revise its business methods having listened to consumer concerns. Now, MBS plans to take its controversial popup billing software from porn into mainstream videos and music.
For legal reasons, I’m unable to publish removal instructions for the MBS billing software. Why not? In July last year MBS’ solicitors contacted me about comments I’d made in this blog which drew “consumers’ attention to several removal methods that have been talked about in the forums.”
“…if it is your intention to encourage consumers to use software to remove our client’s software, which would constitute a breach of the Terms & Conditions that the consumer will have first agreed to, your act constitutes the tortuous offence of inducing third parties to breach a contract. Please bear this in mind when making further posts.
We ask that in any such further posts you advise consumers that the Terms & Conditions that a user must accept before the software can be downloaded expressly prevents the removal of the software by using third party software. Any such act by a consumer would constitute breach of contract which in the event that our client can show that the Terms & Conditions have been accepted by a particular consumer will be actionable by our client. “
Who’s right? I tackled the removal issue in Legal wrangles over billing software in May last year. Simon Briskman, a partner in the technology law group at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, advises that removing the popup billing software is within your rights, although Micro Bill Systems may pursue you for money – if you can be found.
Finally, I recommend using the Internet Explorer History View program (instructions here) to see how MBS was loaded onto your system. It may reveal that a friend, partner, or another member of your family – even a young child – was responsible. Paying close attention to what you’re downloading is always a good idea.
For my older posts about MBS see here and here.
THE COMMENTS ON THIS POST ARE NOW CLOSED: Platte International Ltd (Platte Media) has taken over the operations of Micro Bill Systems. For the latest information including my story about Platte Media in the Guardian newspaper (Popup billing finds a new screen, 26 June 2008) or to leave a comment, please visit this post
As an expert in affiliate marketing I am well aware of some of the tactics used to gain customers into the world of online porn.
What is concerning is the fact that my 12 year old nephew has a desktop icon to a hardcore porn site and is consistently being informed he must pay for his subscription.
I really hope that this company offers a solution to this asap before more media organizations pick up on the fact they are forcing kids to pay for porn or face restricted use of the PC.
Could you please help me to remove that MBS billing popup
THE COMMENTS ON THIS POST ARE NOW CLOSED: Platte International Ltd (Platte Media) has taken over the operations of Micro Bill Systems. See note above.