EzThemes Now Promoting Spyware  03/19/2002

When I release a program I submit it to many web sites and EzThemes has been one of those that accepts and promotes Desktop Enhancements to about 30 other sites.  It has always been reputable...until now.  You can imagine my surprise a couple of weeks ago when I submitted XP Icons v.2, tried their download and found they had completely repackaged it adding the Spyware Gator.  This was done without any notice and without my permission which is a Copyright Violation.  Their 'Terms and Conditions' link conveniently didn't work then and for a week after.  I had no reason to believe they changed their policy to this sleazy way of making extra money.  This is the only statement that was there:

"By submitting your file you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of EzThemes (We may place the file in a standard installation program to make it easier for the visitor to install)."

Right, and easier to distribute Spyware.  It took the threat of a Lawsuit for them to delete the file from their Server.  And that took 4 days with the excuse, "It takes a little time to remove a file from our Server".

Funny, when I delete a file from my server it only takes a few seconds.  Maybe someone should start a 'Deletion School'.  Might be some money to be made there!

Anyway, since they gave me 4 days of bad publicity I thought the least I could do is return the favor.  I don't know how much of their software contains Gator and really don't care to find out.  I just thought you all might like to know about this.  What you do with this information is up to you.

Update:  08/28/2003 - They're at it again!

I've discovered they did the same thing to about 20 Camtech programs again and now their Spyware selection has grown.  They now repack programs with the variety pack:

Gator is not the only spyware program they are using.  Also Precision Time, Weather Bug, Top Text, Bonzai Buddy and various questionable toolbar add-ons.

I couldn't believe this!  Either this 'Steve' character and his cohorts think they're above the law or are just plain ignorant.  I suspect both.  This time I gave him 1 hour to delete them (under threat of a law suit) and he complied.  I'm still considering the suit. 

They also make all their Spyware packed downloads available to the sites listed below.  I'm not saying all downloads from all sites contain Spyware but the ones EZ Themes provides to them do.  If you have installed Camtech or other programs with Spyware you downloaded from EZ Themes or these other sites and would like to let Steve know how you feel about it, you can reach him at support@ezthemes.com or support@ezskins.com  These two sites are associated. 

Sites EZ Themes makes their downloads available to:

aaascreensavers, themesunlimited, fsnet, freewallpaper, celebritydesktop, desktoptreasures, alwaysgirls, ezthemes, rinnan, fabuloussavers, topdownloads, galtthemes, computerwallpaper, fredscorner, cdcovers, wulfert, free4everyone, wrestledown, anyskins, toptenwallpapers, winmatrix, beautifulthemes, freenexus, jeffsthemes, tracemaesthemeland, fwnetwork, toptenscreensavers, anniereb, soccerdesktop, desktopgoodies, richiesworld, chazhound, downloaden, celebrityscreensavers, twilightbridge, entertainmentblitz, animemanganetwork, wallpaperimages, funnydog, toptendesktopthemes, winampnet, debsthemes, wallpapers, rathighway, desktopthemes, anyskinsdt, maildotcom, megasearch, virtualsites, tnpsc, celebdir, freesearch, themedirectory, wallpaperworld, insane, dmblnd, cinemadesktopthemes, freewarefilescom, techweenies, ssauce, desktopia, saver, funskins, ezsss, themes4free, gillsthemes, screensaversusa, desktopsunlimited, tootsiesthemes, new, freedesktoptheme, desktop, extremethemes, hotcelebskins, screensaverfree, wrestling, wowfunny, caty, kylyria, wandasthemes, grybrdsdesktops, halloweenwallpapers, attisthemes, digitaldesktops, thememaker, bluessociety, monkeynuts