Interactive gaming operators who practice "mouse trapping" marketing
techniques should be on guard, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
That was the message on Thursday as the FTC prepared for a press
conference on Monday to announce a lawsuit that has been filed to target
operators who take advantage of users' typing errors and spelling gaffes by
directing them to a barrage of pop-up advertisements for porn and gambling
sites.
A spokeswoman for the FTC wouldn't comment on any particulars regarding
the case, but did say at least one report floating around the Internet about
Monday's conference is "all wrong."
The spokeswoman said she couldn't comment on the case because it is
sealed and some of the defendants haven't been served the papers yet.
"In fact, we are having trouble finding some of them," she said.
Internet news site Newsbytes.com reported Wednesday that the FTC is about
to launch a campaign aimed at curbing mouse trapping. The FTC spokeswoman
would not verify the truthfulness of the report or say whether the lawsuit
involves mouse trapping, but she did say that some of the defendants in the
case have ties to the adult entertainment and online gaming industries.
Newsbytes.com said the FTC campaign could impact "hundreds, if not
thousands" of Web sites and operators; that information comes from what the
site refers to as "sources familiar with the law enforcement proceeding."
It is believed that any action, whether in a courtroom or through other
means, taken against such practices would be done under fraud codes and
violations.