Zango's Federal Lawsuit Against Epic Cash Dismissed

SEATTLE — A federal judge on Friday dismissed claims brought on by online advertising company Zango Inc. against affiliate program Epic Cash.

The legal dispute ruled on Friday commenced after Epic Cash filed suit in California against Zango and the owners of AdultFriendFinder.com.

Epic Cash charged unfair business practices, claiming Zango’s “wrongful display” of pop-ups and other advertisements “blocked content on [Epic Cash’s] websites for the purpose of promoting Zango’s clients, who offered services directly competitive to [Epic Cash’s],” according to court documents.

Zango responded with a countersuit, and Epic Cash later submitted a motion for summary judgment to U.S. District Court in Seattle.

On Friday, in a stinging rebuke, U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said that Zango’s complaint was so broad that it would have amounted to an attempt to pre-empt all of Epic’s claims in the California action.

“Consideration of this complaint would impermissibly entangle this court in needless determinations of state law, possibly both Washington and California law under the ‘violates no right’ language of the request for relief,” he wrote.

Martinez also said that Zango’s suit at federal court in Seattle amounted to “forum-shopping.”

“The court notes the fact that Zango filed this suit just six days after counsel was shown the proposed California complaint as an invitation to discuss settlement,” Martinez wrote. “This can only be viewed as a race to the courthouse in an effort to gain a more favorable forum. Zango concealed from Epic the fact that the suit had been filed for more than five months, thereby stalling the filing of Epic’s complaint in California.”

Epic Cash attorney Gary Kaufman told XBIZ he agreed with the judge.

“[This was] a blatant attempt to gain a hometown advantage,” said Kaufman of Los Angeles-based law firm Kaufman Law Group. “Zango deliberately concealed this action and then used it as an ace in the hole to preempt Epic Cash’s California claims and keep the litigation in its backyard.

“Epic Cash can now move forward with its suit against Zango and AdultFriendFinder in the proper forum.”

In the California case, filed at Santa Clara County Superior Court, Epic Cash claims that once a computer is infected with Zango adware, the Zango Search Assistant monitors the user’s browser and collects keywords that are then used to trigger pop-up ads.

In that suit, AdultFriendFinder, a competitor of Epic Cash’s EpicCams.com website, is accused of having used Zango’s services to have “diverted traffic away from Epic Cash sites and converted Epic Cash’s business to their benefit,” by “taking advantage of plaintiff’s marketing efforts,” presumably when potential consumers are inputting certain keywords or searching for specific sites, which subsequently leads to Zango pop-up ads.

Epic Cash attorney Colin Hardacre, of Kaufman Law Group, told XBIZ that the California case was stayed pending the federal court’s decision.

"Now that the Washington case has been dismissed we can now move ahead aggressively in discovery," he said. "We have depositions pending, of both Zango and AdultFriendFinder, including Zango’s president, Keith Smith. They also owe us written discovery.

"Gary [Kaufman] and I both feel that Epic Cash’s chances of success in the California case are very good — we don’t take losing cases."

Epic Cash has asked for $750,000 in damages in the California case.

Zango spokesman Steve Stratz told XBIZ that the company plans to mount a veritable defense in the California case.

"We continue to be confident that Epic Cash's case is baseless and its claims are without merit and we will vigorously defend ourselves in the matter," he said.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

TrustyFans Introduces New Blog

Creator directory TrustyFans has introduced an official blog to its site, titled "From Hidden to Hype."

JustFor.fans' Dominic Ford Featured in Wired Magazine

JustFor.fans Founder and CEO Dominic Ford is featured in a new article in Wired Magazine, titled "The Internet Revolutionized Porn. Age Verification Could Upend Everything."

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos Joins ProDx Health Advisory Board

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos has joined the Advisory Board of ProDx Health.

Aylo Fined $5 Million as FTC, Utah Settle Safety Practices Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission and the state of Utah on Wednesday settled a complaint against Aylo, requiring the company to pay a $5 million penalty and implement measures to prevent illegal content from appearing on its sites.

New AI Companion Platform 'Pornstar.love' Launches

Pornstar.love, a new AI companion platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support, Stripchat to Host 'Navigating Thoughts of Suicide' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Stripchat are hosting a free online support group to help performers deal with suicidal ideation.

Plaiir Names Cade Maddox as Lead of Creator Relations

Networking platform Plaiir has appointed Cade Maddox as its new lead of creator relations.

Go.cam Launches 'One-Line Integration' Verification Solution

Go.cam has introduced a one-line code integration for age verification.

XBIZ Amsterdam to Debut 'Behind the Lens' Screening Series

XBIZ is pleased to announce the debut of “Behind the Lens,” a new screening series presenting discussions with noted directors, taking place at the upcoming annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam.

'White Rabbit' Party Headed for XBIZ Amsterdam

XBIZ is pleased to announce the White Rabbit Party, an XBIZ Amsterdam special event set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Show More