Conduit Search was convicted to pay $500,001 to MyPlayCity

Chronology: In the early 2008, MyPlayCity Ltd. and Conduit Ltd. entered into agreement according to which MyPlayCity is allowed to create toolbars (the engine is provided by Conduit) bearing the MyPlayCity’s trademark. The toolbars were available for download in the Conduit’s website as well as in the MyPlayCity’s website. The agreement was that MyPlayCity and Conduit were to share the revenue generated by the toolbars which was promoted under the MyPlayCity® trademark.^[1]

In 2009, Conduit demanded MyPlayCity to exclusively use Conduit’s resources for creating MyPlayCity-branded toolbars, thereby restricting MyPlayCity’s ability to have any business relationship with other companies. Of course MyPlayCity refused to this proposal and in September, 2009, Conduit terminated the initial agreement. Even after Conduit stated that it had terminated the agreement with MyPlayCity, they still continued to distribute the toolbars containing MyPlayCity’s trademark and allowing access to MyPlayCity’s content.  In fact, Conduit disregarded the demands of MyPlayCity to cease this practice and a lawsuit was formed.

On March 1, 2010, MyPlayCity filed a suit in United States District Court for Southern District of New York.  MyPlayCity was not able to recover $5000.00 from Conduit’s wrongdoing.

On May 30, 2012, the United States District Court for Southern District of New York concluded that Conduit Ltd, violated MyPlayCity, Inc.’s trademark rights and engaged in unfair competition with MyPlayCity. The amount of damages which Conduit must pay to MyPlayCity were to be determined by a jury at some point in the future.^[2] The proceedings were scheduled on the week of April 15, 2013^[3]  and then on June, 4 2013 , a jury in the United States District Court for Southern District of New York awarded a $500,001 judgment against Conduit. ^[4].

Conduit Search was found guilty for continuing to use the MyPlayCity trademark and making huge profits even after the contract between the two companies has ended. A copy of the original document can be found here. It is not the first time the Israeli toolbar giant goes to court ^[5][6][7],but it is funny, how the guys, responsible for the biggest crapware distribution in the internet nowadays, are also cheating and making profits on behalf of its customers. Fortunately, here you can find a guide on how to Remove Search Conduit which may come in handy for all the enRaged people of this browser hijacker.

References:
[1]http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/myplaycitys-major-step-forward-towards-victory-against-conduit-153067535.html
[2]http://www.geektime.com/2013/07/10/israeli-toolbar-giant-conduit-expected-to-split-and-acquire-perion/
[3]http://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/file/news/calendar_041513
[4]http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1177473/myplaycity-awarded-a-500-001-judgment-against-conduit
[5]http://www.scribd.com/doc/184569842/MyMail-v-Conduit-et-al
[6]http://www.bailii.org/ie/cases/IEHC/2010/H300.html
[7]https://nashvillepost.com/news/2009/11/25/entrepreneur_sues_conduit_corp