My guess as to what will take down ABP will be their 'antiadblock' filter list.
Essentially they are writing and maintaining a anti-anti-circumvention tool. I know it might sound crazy, but think about this example-
Bob writes a computer game. He wants it to be free for registered users, but guests can either pay a monthly subscription or be ad supported to use it as well.
Joe writes a crack for said game, so everyone gets the paid experience.
I think anyone would agree the above scenario is a prime case for a DMCA lawsuit as it is the definition of a circumvention of access control.
I do not see how it would be different for doing the same thing on a website. In the eyes of the law, they are both software getting circumvented. Adblock plus is developing and maintaining ways to circumvent access controls developed by other companies.
Personally I dont have a issue with adblock and the generic filters. I have a issue with the site specific filters as I think they are likely illegal depending on each sites tos
The lack of a EULA does not mean you can do whatever you want. The DMCA still applies.
Also, many sites have a tos that governs what you can and cannot do. Regardless, its not illegal for you the user, but for ABP the company. They are profiting from circumventing software.
Essentially they are writing and maintaining a anti-anti-circumvention tool. I know it might sound crazy, but think about this example-
Bob writes a computer game. He wants it to be free for registered users, but guests can either pay a monthly subscription or be ad supported to use it as well.
Joe writes a crack for said game, so everyone gets the paid experience.
I think anyone would agree the above scenario is a prime case for a DMCA lawsuit as it is the definition of a circumvention of access control.
I do not see how it would be different for doing the same thing on a website. In the eyes of the law, they are both software getting circumvented. Adblock plus is developing and maintaining ways to circumvent access controls developed by other companies.
Personally I dont have a issue with adblock and the generic filters. I have a issue with the site specific filters as I think they are likely illegal depending on each sites tos