ZDNet China, Green Dam and lawsuits

We've received a few inquiries about Solid Oak Software's lawsuit against ZDNet China and CBS Interactive for distributing Green Dam filtering software on its download site.

If you recall, Green Dam was filtering software that was pushed by the Chinese government. As Richard Koman noted Green Dam appears to be built of Solid Oak's code, but there will be court cases to sort that out.

Just for the record, I don't know a whole lot about the lawsuit or ZDNet China for that matter. ZDNet China sits in a separate unit relative to ZDNet and apparently was one of many sites distributing Green Dam. That said here are details for transparency's sake:

Download full complaint from Solid Oak Software (2009cv-7245).

The CBS Interactive statement on the matter:

We've reviewed the complaint and believe the allegations against CBS are without merit.  As is evident from the complaint, this is a dispute between Cybersitter, the two Chinese companies that allegedly copied their filtering technology, as well as the Chinese government that backed these companies and the distribution of the allegedly infringing material.

Other reports on the subject:

• PC Mag: ZDNet Parent Sued for Distributing 'Green Dam'
• Bloomberg: CBS Interactive Sued Over Dispensing Content Filters in China
• PC World: Solid Oak Targets CBS in First China Spy Software Lawsuit