Search companies Ask.com and LookSmart have agreed to settle click fraud class-action lawsuits. Ask.com will set aside $820,000 for a settlement fund, with up to around one-third of the money
reserved for attorneys' fees, while the remainder will be available to search marketers who were victimized by click fraud after Aug. 1, 2005. LookSmart will establish a $2.54 million fund (with up to
$585,000 reserved for attorneys' fees) to handle claims dating back to Jan. 1, 2002. The cases were brought by Lane's Gifts and Collectibles, which two years ago reached a $90 million settlement with
Google in a class-action click fraud lawsuit.
--Wendy Davis
