We've spent many years following the exploits of spyware outfit 180Solutions, from their breakup of anti-spyware coalitions to their endless production of malicious adware. If you recall, they changed their name to Zango, and enjoyed bullying any website or spyware vendor that dared call their products spyware. They were even forced to pay the FTC $3 million for bombarding users with pop-ups. Of course despite the fine and constant claims of reform by Zango, the outfit never really changed their stripes.

Zango tried to stay relevant with new tricks (their latest exploits involved promising users access to a non-existent Batman MMORPG in exchange for installing their client), but the carrier still couldn't survive. In a bit of news that will sadden nobody but their investors, Zango co-founder and CTO Ken Smith blogged this week that the company is closing up shop. In his post, Smith hoists the lion's share of the blame upon outsourced third party distributors:Of course Zango's ethical lapses went considerably deeper, though Smith suggests that the company was targeted unfairly amongst some of the even sleazier business practices of deceased scumware vendors WhenU, Claria and Direct Revenue. I Guess it's ok to call them all spyware now without threat of a lawsuit?