1. GrepLaw has a great summary of the legal challenges surrounding ads and framing:
http://www.gigalaw.com/articles/2000-all/kubiszyn-2000-04-all.html

Posted at 4:22PM on Jun 16th 2005 by Andy Ruff

2. You wrote that BzzAgent "incentives folks to deceive their friends." This is hardly true. I think you're simply taking the content of an article from the NYT and accepting it at face value. When I think about it, this is actually quite hilarious for someone who runs a blog!

Anyway, this is the original article in the NYT:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/05/magazine/05BUZZ.html?ex=1259989200&en=6dc3f3878659a642&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland

Now please look at BzzAgents code of conduct:

http://www2.bzzagent.com/pages/CodeOfConduct.jsp

I'd draw your attention to the paragraph that says: "Be proud to be a BzzAgent. When Bzzing others, feel free to let them know that you're involved with BzzAgent, and that you've chosen to volunteer your time to share your opinion. If you like a product or service, it doesn't matter where you found out about it, so don't feel as though you need to be anonymous or stealthy. Just be open and honest and let your opinion count."

Of course, BzzAgent may have changed the code of conduct since the NYT article, but even the article does not suggest that the company's intention was to have their "BzzAgents" go out and fool friends. If an individual BzzAgent wants to do this, then that is their choice. In any case, they are not paid for it, and they are not forced to give positive reviews of the products they are sent. The agents DO get rewarded for an honest review of a company's product.

For some additional research, there are several posts on BzzAgents PUBLIC, OPEN blog about the ethics of the company, including a few here:

http://blog.bzzagent.com/article.php?story=20041206150910363

I'd suggest that this is a company that IS concerned with ethics and full disclosure, and simply does not deserve to be called "ethically challenged."

(FYI, I am not associated with BzzAgent in anyway.)

Posted at 4:22PM on Jun 16th 2005 by david_c

3. We at Browster value the feedback we've been getting from early reviewers. It will be tremendously valuable in helping our brand-new
product evolve. Several people have voiced some understandable concerns, and we wanted to clear up any misperceptions. Your post includes several key points that are incorrect, so we'd like to clarify the facts here.

Concern 1. Site owners running Javascript code are concerned that Browster doesn't allow it to run, or that Browster alters content by stripping ads.

Browster does allow Javascript to run, does not strip ads, nor does Browster modify the content in the web pages being viewed. Like a new browser, code and content designed for the IE environment may not work the same in our environment.

Browster believes its quick preview functionality can benefit not only users but web site owners by helping users find their sites easier and faster.

Concern 2. Web site owners are worried about their ability to control their users' experience

As it is today, users already have multiple tools to control their experience, as is their right, the fact is that we've built another one, and more are constantly appearing. For example:
- Internet Explorer, which also blocks popups and allows the user to disable Javascript.
- Pop-up blockers from Yahoo!, Google, etc, which directly impact web site owners' revenue.
- The Google-supported Opera browser, a widely used browser, which displays context-based ads adjacent to web pages you're browsing.

Concern 3. People familiar with the legal issues around framing raised by the TotalNews case are concerned Browster is doing the same thing.

- TotalNews was redistributing modified versions of copyrighted content, which is illegal.
- Browster neither modifies content nor redistributes it. Like Firefox or another browser, it shows content designed for IE with as much fidelity as possible.

We appreciate the passionate feedback we've received and welcome a continuing dialog about how we can help make the web more effective for everyone.

I also invite you to talk with me directly at our booth #8.

Thank you,
Scott Milener
CEO
Browster, Inc.

Posted at 4:22PM on Jun 16th 2005 by Scott Milener