AdBlock Plus creator to set up independent board to oversee 'whitelist'

Eyeo's move follows court victory against German publisher Axel Springer, which claimed it breached laws on competition, copyright or market dominance

The company behind popular ad blocking software AdBlock Plus has said it will set up an "independent board" to oversee its list of acceptable ads, less than a day after beating off a court challenge from German publisher Axel Springer.

Eyeo has been accused of holding publishers to ransom by charging to have ads served to users of its ad-blocking software. Eyeo, a German software company, says those advertisers who want to get on its so-called "whitelist" must abide by rules against annoying or intrusive ads, but until now has made the final decision on which ads should be allowed. About 70 companies are reportedly signed up, but their names have not been disclosed.