Craigslist Sues Maker of Auto-Posting Software in Federal Court

SAN FRANCISCO — Online classifieds provider Craigslist is suing a New York man and 25 unnamed parties, claiming they made and sold auto-posting software that violates copyright and is both fraudulent and illegal.

In the claim filed at U.S. District Court in San Francisco Nov. 5, the San Francisco company seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction against Zheng Peng and his company, PostingExpert.org.

The lawsuit also seeks unspecified damages to be awarded via jury trial and the return of all profits obtained by Peng and the unnamed individuals.

The auto-posting software “undermines Craigslist’s systems, organization and operation,” according to the lawsuit. It enables users to repetitiously post ads across the website’s many categories and geographical areas, and in the process the software circumvents “craigslist security measures,” the lawsuit stated.

Craigslist’s attorneys, Brian Hennessy and Elizabeth L. McDougall of Perkins Coie LLP, ground the charges against Peng in both federal and state laws regulating businesses. They run from copyright infringement and violation of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act to breach of contact, violation of California penal code, fraud and intentional interference with contractual relations.

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

Arcom Reports Age Verification Enforcement Actions Against 5 Adult Sites

French media regulator Arcom released a statement Tuesday detailing recent actions to enforce age verification rules as set forth under France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

Ron Jeremy's Accusers Reach Settlement With Rainbow Bar & Grill

The Rainbow Bar & Grill has reached confidential settlements with a group of women who filed a negligence lawsuit against the Sunset Strip restaurant over alleged sexual assaults committed by Ron Jeremy, according to Rolling Stone.

Sportsheets Joins FSC as Gold Member

Sportsheets has joined Free Speech Coalition (FSC) as a Gold-level member.

Age Verification Watch: Two End Runs, Two Failed Bills

Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the country. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, AV tech providers continue to tout their services, and legal challenges continue to play out in the courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.

FSC Helps Defeat Colorado AV Bill

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has announced that, with its help, Colorado's recently introduced age verification bill has been defeated.

Missouri AG Bypasses Legislature, Declares Age Verification Rule

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Wednesday announced a new state regulation requiring adult sites to implement age verification of users, bypassing the legislative process in a strategy not seen before in state-level efforts to mandate age verification.

Attorney Corey D. Silverstein Launches 'Q&A Series' on Social Media

Adult industry attorney Corey D. Silverstein has launched a Q&A series on his social media platforms.

'Over the Top' North Carolina Bill Could Play Havoc With Adult Sites

A bill filed in the North Carolina state Assembly on Monday would impose new rules that industry observers warn could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Swedish Government Proposes Ban on Purchasing 'Remote' Sexual Services

The Swedish government has asked the country’s Parliament to amend Swedish law so that current laws against purchasing sexual services would also apply to acts performed remotely by cammers, streamers and custom content creators.

Ofcom: Age Assurance Going Live Across 'Thousands' of Porn Sites

U.K. communications regulator Ofcom said in a statement Thursday that providers of online pornography are implementing age assurance across “thousands of sites” accessible in the U.K., in response to Ofcom’s Online Safety Act (OSA) enforcement program.

Show More