Antivirus snipers in breach of ceasefire

War of words between McAfee and Symantec continues amid accusations of felony and defamation

Antivirus software rivals Symantec and McAfee broke their ceasefire as their damning war of words over piracy reached a new, personal level.

McAfee has called Symantec CEO Gordon Eubanks an ?accused felon? after Symantec issued an amended piracy writ against McAfee, expecting an injunction at the end of August.

Sources said McAfee CEO Bill Larson was furious about the writ, and that the company has claimed that Symantec?s latest complaints break an agreement between the two to avoid commenting on the suit, which began in April. McAfee has responded by promising to sue Symantec for defamation and contempt of court motion.

Peter Watkins, general manager of network security at McAfee, said: ?Symantec?s allegations are without merit. McAfee has ceased discussions with Symantec until further notice. It is unfortunate that Gordon Eubanks, himself once an accused felon for trade secret violations, has decided to engage in such defamatory behaviour.?

Enrique Salem, chief technology officer at Symantec, said: ?Ultimately, customers are the losers in cases that involve technology theft because they don?t get the best products for their money.?

The two firms have made accusation and counter-accusation in recent months, turning healthy rivalry into antivirus warfare. Symantec has claimed McAfee doctors independent studies to prove its software is effective, and McAfee claims Symantec is conducting a smear campaign against it.