• by April 9, 2004

I am writing in response to your discussion of AdWare in connection with "spyware" article. While we appreciate the legitimate public concern with respect to spyware, we want to make clear that AdWare Systems absolutely does not create, support or deploy any software related to spyware or tools that remove spyware or cookies from local desktops. In fact, the vast majority of our clients use AdWare® solutions for offline activities.

AdWare Systems is an application service provider that has been serving the marketing communications industry under the AdWare® name since 1981. AdWare® primarily offers software that enables advertising agencies and other companies to operate their businesses more efficiently, through effective agency management, media management, and content management tools and has nothing to do with monitoring individual consumer's online activities.

Given the twenty-three years we have spent developing good will with respect to our AdWare® products you can understand our dismay seeing the AdWare® name used in connection with such odious products (particularly in light of Hormel's experience with Spam). We would very much appreciate it if you could either refrain from using the Adware® name in connection with spyware or at least make clear that AdWare Systems has nothing whatsoever to do with this issue.