Summary: The Gartner Group gets sued for its recommendation practices

THE Gartner Group is doing a lot to lose people's trust. In the month of October alone we wrote about it in:

• Here Come the Anti-FSF Shills, Gartner
• Gartner Group Wrong Again
• Gartner Lied About Vista, So Why Should People Believe it Regarding Vista 7?
• The Microsoft 'Mouthpiece Theatre' Starts the Vista 7 Marketing Blitz

On previous occasions we wrote about Gartner's Magic Quadrant [1, 2], which the firm is now being sued over (preferential placements likely for customers such as Microsoft and private investors like Bill Gates). From ZDNet: [via]

Friday October 23rd will see Gartner argue a motion to dismiss a complaint by ZL Technologies Inc about the famed Gartner Magic Quadrant. According to court papers, Gartner will argue to dismiss based on First Amendment rights citing that the Magic Quadrant is not meant to represent statements of fact but is based on pure opinion.

IDG operates similar groups and practices using IDC and its Web site too remarks on the case:

On Friday, a judge in San Jose will hear arguments regarding Gartner's motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed in May by ZL Technologies that seeks to not only eviscerate the Magic Quadrant but also punish Gartner severely for ever having foisted it upon the IT world. (That some of you are cheering grants ZL's case not a scintilla of validity, but point taken.)

For those who believe that the plaintiff's arguments lack substance, here is another allegation and selected antitrust exhibits that involve Gartner and Microsoft [1, 2, 3, 4]. This is not much different from what analysts in Wall Street are doing to drive stocks up and down (see video below). ⬆