"Alternative" software firms Ability Software and Panda Software UK are taking a stand against the illegal sale of their OEM products which they say is eating into their profits. Both companies, part of Formjet plc, said they would issue warnings to any organisation that offers OEM CD versions of either Ability Office (an alternative office suite), Titanium Antivirus or Platinum Internet Security (alternative consumer security products) directly to consumers or end-user businesses.

If the practice is not stopped within five days, the two companies reserve the right to sue. OEM software is licensed only for sale alongside "original equipment" but some unnamed online retailers and high street retail outlets are flouting this restriction. A Formjet spokesperson declined to go into specifics about illegal OEM sales but said it was "finding that this problem is becoming more relevant. "We've had enough and are making a stand," she added. ®

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