Internet Brands#Controversies

The company acquired its largest businesses, WebMD and Medscape, in a $2.8 billion transaction in 2017.{{Cite press release |last=Corp |first=WebMD Health |title=WebMD To Be Acquired By KKR's Internet Brands |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/webmd-to-be-acquired-by-kkrs-internet-brands-300492704.html |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en |archive-date=December 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230210102/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/webmd-to-be-acquired-by-kkrs-internet-brands-300492704.html |url-status=live }} In 2018, WebMD acquired Frontline Communications and Jobson.{{Cite web |date=2018-06-12 |title=WebMD acquires Jobson to bolster content for pharmacists, eye health {{as written|practi|cioners [sic]}} |url=https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/webmd-acquires-jobson-bolster-content-pharmacists-eye-health-practicioners |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=MobiHealthNews |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kanski |first=Alison |date=2019-06-18 |title=WebMD acquires Frontline Medical Communications |url=https://www.mmm-online.com/home/channel/media-news/webmd-acquires-frontline-medical-communications/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media |language=en-US |archive-date=December 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230221427/https://www.mmm-online.com/home/channel/media-news/webmd-acquires-frontline-medical-communications/ |url-status=live }} In 2019, WebMD acquired Aptus Health from Merck.{{Cite news |last=Renfrow |first=Jacqueline |date=2019-09-30 |title=WebMD to acquire Aptus Health in bid to expand clinician support |url=https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/tech/webmd-to-acquire-aptus-health-expand-clinician-support |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=Fierce Healthcare |language=en |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102231521/https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/tech/webmd-to-acquire-aptus-health-expand-clinician-support |url-status=live }} In 2020, WebMD acquired: StayWell and Krames, also from Merck; and Germany-based Coliquio.{{Cite news |date=2020-03-12 |title=BRIEF-WebMD Acquires The Staywell Company |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/brief-webmd-acquires-the-staywell-compan-idUSASA00HEY |access-date=2023-01-02 |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102233946/https://www.reuters.com/article/brief-webmd-acquires-the-staywell-compan-idUSASA00HEY |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Longworth |first=Catherine |date=2020-10-27 |title=WebMD buys German health information company coliquio - |url=https://pharmaphorum.com/news/webmd-buys-german-health-information-company-coliquio/ |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=pharmaphorum.com |language=en-GB}} In 2021, WebMD acquired ADDitude and the Wellness Network.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-26 |title=WebMD M&A deepens its informational resources about ADHD |url=https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/webmd-ma-deepens-its-informational-resources-about-adhd |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=MobiHealthNews |language=en |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102233952/https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/webmd-ma-deepens-its-informational-resources-about-adhd |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Muoio |first=Dave |date=2021-07-21 |title=WebMD purchases patient educational video maker The Wellness Network |url=https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/tech/webmd-purchases-patient-educational-video-maker-wellness-network |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=Fierce Healthcare |language=en |archive-date=December 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231003359/https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/tech/webmd-purchases-patient-educational-video-maker-wellness-network |url-status=live }} In 2022, WebMD acquired Mercury Health Care, a spinout of Healthgrades.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-05 |title=WebMD acquires analytics specialist Mercury Healthcare |url=https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/webmd-acquires-analytics-specialist-mercury-healthcare |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=MobiHealthNews |language=en |archive-date=December 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230221440/https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/webmd-acquires-analytics-specialist-mercury-healthcare |url-status=live }} Also in 2022, WebMD acquired Jim.fr, a medical news and information website for physicians based in France.{{Cite web |last=Sawers |first=Paul |date=2022-08-18 |title=WebMD acquires French medical news and info platform Jim.fr |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/18/webmd-acquires-french-medical-news-and-information-platform-jim-fr/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-18 |title=WebMD Acquires JIM.fr to Expand Reach to French-Speaking Health Professionals |url=https://www.medicaldesigndevelopment.com/home/news/22392893/webmd-acquires-jimfr-to-expand-reach-to-frenchspeaking-health-professionals |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=Medical Design & Development |language=en-us |archive-date=September 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904015759/https://www.medicaldesigndevelopment.com/home/news/22392893/webmd-acquires-jimfr-to-expand-reach-to-frenchspeaking-health-professionals |url-status=live }} In 2023, Internet Brands acquired Limeade, a digital health and wellness platform,{{Cite web |title=Limeade Acquisition |date=June 8, 2023 |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2023/webmd-will-pay-74-5m-to-acquire-employee-experience-company-limeade/ |access-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705140311/https://www.geekwire.com/2023/webmd-will-pay-74-5m-to-acquire-employee-experience-company-limeade/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-08 |title=WebMD Health Services To Acquire Limeade |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/webmd-health-services-acquire-limeade-224400694.html |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}} as well as Grupo Saned, a health and medical information services company in Spain.{{Cite web |last=Joseph |first=Irien |date=2023-03-08 |title=KKR-backed WebMD Health buys Grupo SANED |url=https://www.pehubeurope.com/kkr-backed-webmd-health-buys-grupo-saned/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=PE Hub Europe |language=en-GB |archive-date=September 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904024310/https://www.pehubeurope.com/kkr-backed-webmd-health-buys-grupo-saned/ |url-status=live }} In 2024, WebMD acquired the operating assets of Healthwise, a provider of patient health education materials.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=WebMD acquires Healthwise to bolster patient engagement and growth |url=https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/webmd-acquires-healthwise-bolster-patient-engagement-and-growth |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=Healthcare IT News |language=en |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903030513/https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/webmd-acquires-healthwise-bolster-patient-engagement-and-growth |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Jack |date=2024-03-04 |title=WebMD's Healthwise purchase signals big changes in health education space |url=https://www.mmm-online.com/home/channel/webmd-healthwise-purchase-health-education-space-changes/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media |language=en-US |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405104812/https://www.mmm-online.com/home/channel/webmd-healthwise-purchase-health-education-space-changes/ |url-status=live }}

The company's legal division serves consumers and attorneys and includes FindLaw, Avvo, Martindale Hubbell, and Nolo.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2018/01/12/internet-brands-adds-avvo-to-legal-portfolio.html |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}{{Cite web |last=Kinsella {{!}} |first=Bridget |title=Nolo Acquired by New Media Company Internet Brands |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/article/47074-nolo-acquired-by-new-media-company-internet-brands.html |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=PublishersWeekly.com |language=en |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917040851/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/article/47074-nolo-acquired-by-new-media-company-internet-brands.html |url-status=live }} Its services and platforms for attorneys were collectively rebranded Martindale-Avvo in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Journal |first=A. B. A. |title=Internet Brands renames legal offerings as Martindale-Avvo |url=https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/internet_brands_renames_legal_offerings_as_martindale_avvo |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=ABA Journal |language=en |archive-date=December 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230211823/https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/internet_brands_renames_legal_offerings_as_martindale_avvo |url-status=live }} The company's Martindale Hubbell ownership originated in 2013 as a Joint Venture with LexisNexis, though the Martindale business traces its roots to 1868.{{Cite web |title=Martindale-Hubbell, Internet Brands to Deliver Marketing Services for Lawyers |url=https://www.law.com/legaltechnews/almID/1202617637054/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=Legaltech News |language=en |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104025916/https://www.law.com/legaltechnews/almID/1202617637054/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory {{!}} Encyclopedia.com |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/martindale-hubbell-law-directory |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=www.encyclopedia.com}}

The company acquired Pulsepoint, a programmatic online ad tech company, in 2021.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-29 |title=WebMD Parent Company Internet Brands to Acquire PulsePoint |url=https://www.adexchanger.com/platforms/webmd-parent-company-internet-brands-to-acquire-pulsepoint/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=AdExchanger |language=en-US}}

Internet Brands and Henry Schein formed a joint venture in 2018, called Henry Schein One (HS1), contributing the dental software and internet businesses of both companies.{{Cite web |last=Werner |first=Alison |date=2018-04-11 |title=Henry Schein and Internet Brands Joint Venture Creates Henry Schein One |url=https://orthodonticproductsonline.com/industry-news/company-news/henry-schein-internet-brands-joint-venture-creates-henry-schein-one/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=Orthodontic Products |language=en-US}} In 2019, HS1 acquired Lighthouse 360. In 2020, HS1 acquired United Kingdom-based Dentally.{{Cite journal |date=July 2020 |title=Global supplier acquires cloud-based dental software provider |journal=British Dental Journal |language=en |volume=229 |issue=2 |pages=143 |doi=10.1038/s41415-020-1959-y |s2cid=220747241 |issn=1476-5373|doi-access=free }} In 2021, HS1 acquired Jarvis Analytics.{{Cite web |last=Gawel |first=Richard |date=2021-05-28 |title=Henry Schein One Acquires Majority Stake in Jarvis Analytics |url=https://www.dentistrytoday.com/henry-schein-one-acquires-majority-stake-in-jarvis-analytics/ |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=Dentistry Today |language=en-US |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102235154/https://www.dentistrytoday.com/henry-schein-one-acquires-majority-stake-in-jarvis-analytics/ |url-status=live }}

As of its 2009 public filings, the consumer internet division owned and operated more than 95 websites in seven categories and attracted more than 62 million unique visitors per month, with 97% of the audience originating from organic, non-paid sources.{{cite web | url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1080131/000108013110000005/form10-k.htm | title = Internet Brands 2009 SEC Form 10-K filing | publisher = Internet Brands | access-date = September 1, 2017 | archive-date = March 4, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074208/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1080131/000108013110000005/form10-k.htm | url-status = live }}{{cite web | last = SECInvestor | title = Point Your Portfolio to Internet Brands | url = http://www.secinvestor.com/2010/03/31/Point+Your+Portfolio+To+Internet+Brands.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110204063508/http://www.secinvestor.com/2010/03/31/Point+Your+Portfolio+To+Internet+Brands.aspx | archive-date = February 4, 2011 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}{{cite web | last = SeekingAlpha | title = The Number One Internet Stock You've Never Heard of | date = March 24, 2010 | url= http://seekingalpha.com/article/195249-the-number-one-internet-stock-you-ve-never-heard-of }} The company's strategy is to focus on specific target audiences that tend to be attractive to advertisers.{{cite news | last = New York Times | title = As Online Ads Grow, Eyeballs Are Valuable Again on the Web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/26/technology/26ecom.html | access-date = 2006-06-26 | work = The New York Times | date = June 26, 2006 | archive-date = January 12, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170112023205/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/26/technology/26ecom.html | url-status = live }}{{cite web | last = Small Cap Investor | title = Internet Brands a Step in a different direction | url = http://www.smallcapinvestor.com/stockresearch/spotlight/2008-08-26-internet_brands_a_step_in_a_different_direction | access-date = December 27, 2008 | archive-date = January 5, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090105222223/http://www.smallcapinvestor.com/stockresearch/spotlight/2008-08-26-internet_brands_a_step_in_a_different_direction | url-status = live }}

In 2016, the company acquired Fodor's travel, which was joined with other travel properties such as Wikitravel and FlyerTalk.{{Cite web |last=Clampet |first=Jason |date=2016-06-21 |title=Fodor's Travel Guides Sold to Internet Brands by Penguin Random House |url=https://skift.com/2016/06/21/fodors-travel-guides-sold-to-internet-brands-by-penguin-random-house/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=Skift |language=en-US}}

On December 1, 2010, Internet Brands acquired AllLaw.com and AttorneyLocate.com, both founded by Arvind A. Raichur.{{cite web | last = Internet Brands Press Release | title = Internet Brands Acquires Assets of AllLaw.com and AttorneyLocate.com | url = http://investors.internetbrands.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=534190 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In 2007, the company acquired Corvette Forum and in 2004, a Chevy Corvette enthusiast site.

SEC filings indicate that approximately 70% of the company's revenues are derived from advertising from more than 40,000 accounts—most of them small and medium enterprises.

The company's portfolio of websites include many with social media features: social network services, user generated content, blogs, wikis, and internet forums.{{cite web | last = U.S. News & World Report | title = The Next Internet Gold Rush | url = https://www.usnews.com/blogs/americas-business/2006/8/28/the-next-internet-gold-rush.html | access-date = 2006-08-28 | archive-date = April 25, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090425074941/http://www.usnews.com/blogs/americas-business/2006/8/28/the-next-internet-gold-rush.html | url-status = live }}{{cite web | last = Internet | first = Brands | title = Internet brands goes into overdrive: Web 2.0 company is on a buying binge | url= https://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/177592380.html |access-date = 2008-03-18}}

The company was founded in 1998 as CarsDirect.com, launched from the business incubator Idealab. The company invented a consumer-advocacy approach to selling cars "haggle-free" online, an approach it continues to employ.{{cite web | last = CarsDirect | title = Initial Test of Online Car Buying | url = http://ecommerce.hostip.info/pages/181/Carsdirect-Com-SUCCESSFUL-TEST-LED-NATIONAL-MAY-1999-LAUNCH.html | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081231204515/http://ecommerce.hostip.info/pages/181/Carsdirect-Com-SUCCESSFUL-TEST-LED-NATIONAL-MAY-1999-LAUNCH.html | archive-date = December 31, 2008 | df = mdy-all }} In 2000, Roger Penske invested in the company and joined the Board of Directors. That same year, the company was the title sponsor of the 2000 CarsDirect.com 400, an event in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, to bring attention to online car buying. In 2002, Time Magazine voted the site one of the 50 best in the world.{{cite news | last = Time Magazine | title = Time Magazine's 50 Best Websites | url= http://www.time.com/time/2002/tech/best| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20020604065232/http://www.time.com/time/2002/tech/best/| url-status= dead| archive-date= June 4, 2002| date=January 4, 2002| access-date=2010-05-05}}

The company changed its name to Internet Brands in 2005.{{cite web | last = Internet | first = Brands | title = CarsDirect Becomes Internet Brands | url = http://www.internetbrands.com/ib/news/press-releases | access-date = 2005-06-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070710141115/http://www.internetbrands.com/ib/news/press-releases | archive-date = July 10, 2007 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }} The company's IPO was in November 2007 on the NASDAQ exchange.{{cite web | last = Internet | first = Brands | title = Internet Brands IPO data | url = http://www.ipohome.com/ipohome/ipoprofile.aspx?ticker=INET. | access-date = 2008-11-21 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090110045544/http://www.ipohome.com/ipohome/ipoprofile.aspx?ticker=INET. | archive-date = January 10, 2009 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }} INET was added to the NASDAQ Internet Index on March 22, 2010.{{cite news | last = Agentmonhost | title = Internet Brands added to NASDAQ Internet Index | url = http://agentmonhost.com/annual-changes-to-the-nasdaq-internet-index/ | access-date = November 27, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141205010151/http://agentmonhost.com/annual-changes-to-the-nasdaq-internet-index/ | archive-date = December 5, 2014 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}

Internet Brands agreed to be acquired for $640 million by the private equity firm Hellman & Friedman in September 2010{{cite news | work = Reuters | title = Internet Brands to be acquired for $640 mln | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68J3DS20100920 | date = September 20, 2010 | access-date = July 1, 2017 | archive-date = December 19, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101219104917/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68J3DS20100920 | url-status = live }}{{cite web | last = Hellman & Friedman | title = Internet Brands agrees to be acquired by Hellman & Friedman | url = http://www.hf.com/news/092010.html | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100924071317/http://www.hf.com/news/092010.html | archive-date = September 24, 2010 | df = mdy-all }} and was thus delisted from NASDAQ.{{cite web |last=Taulli |first=Tom |url=http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/09/20/internet-brands-goes-private-again/ |title=Internet Brands Goes Private, Again |publisher=DailyFinance |date=2010-09-21 |access-date=2013-11-05 |archive-date=May 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527114526/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/09/20/internet-brands-goes-private-again/ |url-status=live }}

In September 2012, Internet Brands became involved in a legal battle with the Wikimedia Foundation (the operators of Wikipedia) over the future of Wikitravel's community.{{cite web | url=https://blog.wikimedia.org/2012/09/05/wikimedia-foundation-seeks-declaratory-relief-in-response-to-legal-threats-from-internet-brands/ | title=Wikimedia Foundation seeks declaratory relief in response to legal threats from Internet Brands | date=September 6, 2012 | publisher=Wikimedia Foundation | access-date=September 8, 2012 | archive-date=November 8, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108153237/http://blog.wikimedia.org/2012/09/05/wikimedia-foundation-seeks-declaratory-relief-in-response-to-legal-threats-from-internet-brands/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Internet_Brands_v_William_Ryan_Holliday.pdf | title=Internet Brands vs. William Ryan Holliday | publisher=Internet Brands | access-date=September 8, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916081702/http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Internet_Brands_v_William_Ryan_Holliday.pdf | archive-date=September 16, 2012 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}{{cite web | url=https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:WMF_complaint_for_declaratory_judgement_September_2012.pdf | title=Wikimedia Foundation vs. Internet Brands | publisher=Wikimedia Foundation | access-date=September 8, 2012 | archive-date=September 7, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907215343/https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:WMF_complaint_for_declaratory_judgement_September_2012.pdf | url-status=live }}

Internet Brands was acquired in June 2014 by KKR from Hellman & Friedman for 1.1 billion dollars.{{cite web| last=Silver| first=Elliot| url=http://www.domaininvesting.com/report-internet-brands-acquired-1-1-billion/| title=Internet Brands to be Acquired for $1.1 Billion| publisher=domaininvesting.com| date=June 3, 2014| access-date=June 3, 2014| archive-date=June 6, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606000518/http://www.domaininvesting.com/report-internet-brands-acquired-1-1-billion/| url-status=live}} KKR is making its investment in partnership with Internet Brands chief executive officer Bob Brisco and the Internet Brands management team, who will hold a minority stake in the company and continue to run the business.{{cite news|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/internet-brands-to-be-acquired-by-kkr-2014-06-03?reflink=MW_news_stmp|title=Internet Brands to Be Acquired by KKR|work=MarketWatch|access-date=July 18, 2015|archive-date=July 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722020836/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/internet-brands-to-be-acquired-by-kkr-2014-06-03?reflink=MW_news_stmp|url-status=live}}

In January 2016, Intuit Inc. announced an agreement to sell Demandforce to Internet Brands.{{cite press release|url=https://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/1239104.htm|title=Internet Brands to Acquire Demandforce|date=January 15, 2016|access-date=August 3, 2020|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415101507/https://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/1239104.htm|url-status=live}}

In October 2024, Thomson Reuters announced it would sell online legal information provider FindLaw to Internet Brands.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/thomson-reuters-inks-deal-sell-findlaw-business-internet-brands-2024-10-03/ |title=Thomson Reuters to sell FindLaw business to Internet Brands |date=October 4, 2024 |publisher=Reuters}} The transaction was completed in December 2024.{{Cite web |title=Thomson Reuters sells FindLaw business to Internet Brands |url=https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/press-releases/2024/december/thomson-reuters-sells-findlaw-business-to-internet-brands.html |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=www.thomsonreuters.com |language=en-US}}

In October 2009, Internet Brands changed the pricing structure for its vBulletin software, prompting complaints from registered users on the official forums. According to The Register those who complained were then banned from both the forums and from receiving support and updates, despite still having valid licences for the product.{{cite news |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/28/vbulletin_controversy/ |title=Forum king vBulletin muzzles paid-up protesters |publisher=Theregister.co.uk |access-date=2013-11-05 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810133439/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/28/vbulletin_controversy/ |url-status=live }} Internet Brands defended their position to The Register in a separate article; however, a later update to the same article stated that at least some of Internet Brands' claims were false.{{cite news |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/30/vbulletin_defends_forum_bans/ |title=vBulletin denies busting downloads in paid-up protester ban |publisher=Theregister.co.uk |access-date=2013-11-05 |archive-date=August 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811045925/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/30/vbulletin_defends_forum_bans/ |url-status=live }} In October 2010, Internet Brands announced that it would file a lawsuit against the XenForo team claiming copyright infringement; specifically that code in XenForo was based on vBulletin code, breach of contract, and engaging in unfair business practices.{{cite news |last=Metz |first=Cade |title=vBulletin sues ex-devs over 'from scratch' competitor |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/05/vbulletin_sues_ex_employees/ |publisher=The Register |access-date=November 6, 2010 |archive-date=October 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010163153/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/05/vbulletin_sues_ex_employees/ |url-status=live }} In November 2010, Internet Brands sued Kier Darby, a lead developer of XenForo, who had previously served as a lead developer for Internet Brands' vBulletin, claiming that Kier had not returned confidential information from Internet Brands regarding the vBulletin software. The XenForo team has denied the claims.{{cite web|last=Metz|first=Cade|title=Forumware giant vBulletin sues ex-devs (again)|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/04/vbulletin_sues_xenforo_again/|publisher=The Register|access-date=November 6, 2010|archive-date=November 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107004431/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/04/vbulletin_sues_xenforo_again/|url-status=live}} In February 2013, the lawsuit was dismissed.{{cite web |url=http://gracelaw.com/NewsXF.html |title=NewsXF |publisher=Gracelaw.com |date=2013-02-27 |access-date=2013-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303004433/http://gracelaw.com/NewsXF.html |archive-date=March 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

{{see also|Wikitravel#Community fork in 2012|Wikivoyage#History}}

In 2012, after a lengthy history of dissatisfaction, community members at Internet Brands-owned website Wikitravel began discussing whether to fork (split off) of their work and editing activities from Wikitravel and recommence their editing activities at another website host.{{cite web |url=http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Travel_Guide |title=Wikivoyage - Meta |publisher=Meta.wikimedia.org |access-date=2013-11-05 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023055901/https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Travel_Guide |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Travel_Guide&oldid=4064419 |title=Wikivoyage - Meta |publisher=Meta.wikimedia.org |access-date=2013-11-05 |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426215129/http://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Travel_Guide&oldid=4064419 |url-status=live }} The dissatisfaction related to long standing discontent at poor hosting, poor site updates, and excessive over-monetarization and advertising, and eventually, interference by Internet Brands in the community's activities in breach of prior agreements and understandings.Migration FAQ at Wikivoyage, 25 October 2012

Forking is a normal or anticipated activity in wiki communities and is permitted by the Creative Commons license in use on sites such as Wikitravel, and the wiki software used by Wikitravel included the facility to take 'database "dumps"' for that purpose. This mirrored the fork of the German and Italian language Wikitravel communities some years earlier, which led to a new travel wiki site called Wikivoyage. Members of the communities concerned decided that the community at Wikitravel would move its editing efforts to merge with Wikivoyage, to create a new travel wiki to be hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, the owner of Wikipedia and a large range of other non-profit reference sites based upon a wiki community.{{cite web |url=http://wikitravel.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Wikitravel:Travellers%27_pub&oldid=1914778 |title=Travellers' pub |publisher=Wikitravel |access-date=2013-11-05 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215172021/https://wikitravel.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Wikitravel:Travellers%27_pub&oldid=1914778 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Travel_Guide&oldid=4289759 |title=Wikivoyage - Meta |publisher=Meta.wikimedia.org |access-date=2013-11-05 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502004552/https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Travel_Guide&oldid=4289759 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage&oldid=4326621 |title=Wikivoyage Association - Meta |publisher=Meta.wikimedia.org |access-date=2013-11-05 |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430113531/https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikivoyage&oldid=4326621 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikivoyage-l |title=Wikivoyage-l Info Page |publisher=Lists.wikimedia.org |access-date=2013-11-05 |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103161822/https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikivoyage-l |url-status=live }}

The merge and move were endorsed by the editing community,{{cite web |url=https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Requests_for_comment/Wikivoyage&oldid=4059415 |title=Requests for comment/Travel Guide - Meta |publisher=Meta.wikimedia.org |access-date=2013-11-05 |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409104056/https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Requests_for_comment/Wikivoyage&oldid=4059415 |url-status=live }} but opposed by Internet Brands who litigated against two users it accused of unlawful actions related to the proposal. The allegations were strongly rejected by the individuals and the (non-party) Wikimedia Foundation who stated the case was an example of a SLAPP lawsuit intended to deter and frustrate lawful conduct.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/business/media/once-a-profit-dream-wikitravel-now-bedevils-owner.html | title=Travel Site Built on Wiki Ethos Now Bedevils Its Owner | author=Noam Cohen | work=The New York Times | date=September 9, 2012 | access-date=February 22, 2017 | archive-date=June 17, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617034148/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/business/media/once-a-profit-dream-wikitravel-now-bedevils-owner.html | url-status=live }} On November 19, 2012, the claims by Internet Brands were dismissed by the United States District Court for the Central District of California.{{cite web|title=Internet Brands Inc versus Ryan Holliday et al.|url=https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:2012-11-19_D18_Order_re_Special_Mtn_to_Strike_and_Mtn_to_Dismiss.pdf|work=United States District Court for the Central District of California|access-date=16 December 2012|archive-date=December 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202092436/http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:2012-11-19_D18_Order_re_Special_Mtn_to_Strike_and_Mtn_to_Dismiss.pdf|url-status=live}}

In April 2013, on behalf of its client Greenlight Financial Services, Inc., the Rhema Law Group won a jury verdict trial against Internet Brands, Inc. The Orange County Superior Court jury found that Internet Brands breached a previous settlement agreement between the parties and awarded lost profits damages in the amount of $750,000.{{cite web|title=Rhema Law Group Wins Jury Trial Verdict Against Internet Brands, Inc.|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/14/ca-rhema-law-wins-idUSnPNNY13843+1e0+PRN20130514|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031083211/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/14/ca-rhema-law-wins-idUSnPNNY13843+1e0+PRN20130514|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-10-31|publisher=Reuters.com|access-date=2013-11-05}}

ModelMayhem.com is a social media website where models can create profiles and publish pictures. In May 2008, Internet Brands bought Model Mayhem from the original developers Donald and Tyler Waitt.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2014/09/18/modeling-website-didnt-warn-users-rapists-were-preying-on-them/ |title=Modeling Website Didn't Warn Users Rapists Were Preying On Them |newspaper=Forbes |date= 18 August 2014 |author= Kashmir Hill|access-date= September 15, 2015}} Model Mayhem was involved in the court case Jane Doe No. 14 v. Internet Brands, Inc., where litigants argued that Model Mayhem was liable for damages resulting from crimes committed by users on the website.{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-a-rape-lawsuit-against-model-mayhem-turned-into-a-free-speech-case-826/ |title=The Rape Victim Who Is Challenging One of the Fundamental Laws of the Internet |newspaper=Vice.com |date=August 26, 2015 |author=Allie Conti |access-date=September 15, 2015 |archive-date=September 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911091547/http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/how-a-rape-lawsuit-against-model-mayhem-turned-into-a-free-speech-case-826 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.fbi.gov/miami/press-releases/2012/two-men-sentenced-to-multiple-life-terms-for-enticing-women-to-south-florida-to-engage-in-commercial-sex-acts-while-under-the-influence-of-date-rape-drugs |title=FBI — Two Men Sentenced to Multiple Life Terms for Enticing Women to South Florida to Engage in Commercial Sex Acts While Under the Influence of Date Rape Drugs |newspaper=Https |date=February 17, 2012 |access-date=September 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129065640/https://www.fbi.gov/miami/press-releases/2012/two-men-sentenced-to-multiple-life-terms-for-enticing-women-to-south-florida-to-engage-in-commercial-sex-acts-while-under-the-influence-of-date-rape-drugs |url-status=live }}

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Category:Mass media companies established in 1998

Category:American companies established in 1998

Category:Online mass media companies of the United States

Category:Technology companies based in Greater Los Angeles

Category:Companies based in El Segundo, California

Category:Kohlberg Kravis Roberts companies

Category:1998 establishments in California

Category:2007 initial public offerings

Category:Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq

Category:2010 mergers and acquisitions

Category:2014 mergers and acquisitions