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From: odawa@well.sf.ca.us (Michael Odawa)
Newsgroups: comp.virus
Subject: No Publishers' Viruses
Message-ID: <0001.8906081951.AA00599@ubu.CC.Lehigh.EDU>
Date: 8 Jun 89 00:49:13 GMT
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In virus-l 2:130, L. Anne Cole asked,

> Is it possible that the software packagers are spreading viruses to their
> competition (for obvious reasons).  "Hi, I'm a virus, are you a database?
> Are you my database? CRUNCH."  Sounds rather strange, but...

while in virus-l 2:131 Gordon Meyer responded,

> While I would like to think this isn't happening, there is evidence to the
> contrary.

Let us set the record straight on this subject:

No known software publisher has ever intentionally released a virus
into circulation, nor is it likely that any would do so, as it would
be contrary to their interests.  Viruses threaten the entire software
industry and expose the releasing party to an enormous legal
liability.

As "evidence to the contrary" Mr. Myer cites an article he read which
in turn vaguely suggested that some (unnamed and unnameable)
developers "might be introducing viruses as a means to fight software
piracy."

Software developers and publishers are as disturbed as anyone about
the spread of viruses.  We do not see their propagation to be in
anyone's interest. As producers of software, we are offended by the
way viruses assault our customers and deface the product of our
labors.  As heavy users of computer programs, we become as
inconvenienced as anyone when we fall victim to a viral outbreak.

The idea of releasing viruses to protect intellectual property rights
sounds as bizarre to us as would be the idea of bombing libraries to
protect authors' copyrights.

The Software Development Council has an active Virus Task Force which
exchanges viral identification information, and promotes the
incorporation of antiviral measures into mainstream software products.
If anyone would like information on what software developers are doing
to fight viruses, please send me your snail mail address.

Michael Odawa
Software Development Council of North America
odawa@well.uucp