SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A California company has agreed to label as "advertisement" its Internet pop-up ads that impersonate computer error messages, according to an attorney who had sued the advertiser.

Bonzi Software Inc. also agreed to other changes in a settlement approved recently by a Spokane County judge.

On behalf of people in eight states who complained about the company's pop-up ads, attorney Darrell Scott sued Bonzi in November, alleging its ads were deceptive.

The lawsuit contended that Internet users who clicked an "OK" button, thinking it would make the dialogue box disappear, were instead sent to a Web site promoting Bonzi software for preventing Internet intrusions or speeding up Internet connections.

The ads came under such headings as "Security Alert" and carried warnings like "Your computer is currently broadcasting an Internet IP address. With this address, someone can immediately begin attacking your computer."

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In a statement, Bonzi attorney Saro G. Rizzo said the company settled to avoid litigation costs and insisted it never broke the law.

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