A year ago, if you had asked anyone what the biggest scourge of the internet was, chances are they would have spat out something unprintable about X-10. X-10 makes a small spy camera that supposedly is pretty good for its price. I wouldn't know because I certainly will never buy one.
In late 2001, X-10 rolled out an advertising campaign that buried virtually the entire Internet with pop-under ads. Within a month, X-10 was one of the most hated names on the internet.
There is such a thing as karma and, occasionally, it bites you right on the ass.
As it turns out, X-10 stole their business model from two brothers working out of their childhood home. X-10 contracted with the boys to run their advertising campaign, then didn't pay them. In fact, they stole the plan the boys originated and carried it out themselves!
The brothers sued X-10 and last week were awarded a judgement of 4.3 million dollars. X-10 has filed for bankruptcy protection and may well be heading for that big Pop-up blocker in the sky. Or, more likely, they are headed underground, with all the other scumbags.
Good riddance. Sayonara. Don't let the door hit ya on the way out.