Webroot Defects From Anti-Spyware Group COAST

Three weeks after the Consortium of Anti-Spyware Technology Vendors (COAST) announced it had admitted adware company 180solutions to the organization, Webroot Software announced its immediate withdrawal from the organization it helped found in October 2003.

"We are not comfortable with the idea of COAST as a certification body or as a marketing tool for member companies," said Webroot--based in Boulder, Colo.--in a statement. Representatives of the company declined further comment.

Todd Sawicki, senior director of marketing at 180solutions, said his comapny didn't know whether Webroot had raised concerns about 180solution's membership in COAST. He added that 180solutions has already made changes to its adware that had been suggested by COAST members, including Webroot. "We're sticking with our changes and are proud of the work we've done," he said.

Webroot's withdrawal from COAST marks at least the second time a company that markets spyware and adware removal software has withdrawn from COAST. Founding company Lavasoft, which produces the adware removal program Ad-Aware, announced in December 2003 that it was leaving COAST in a dispute about plans to charge members "exorbitant rates."

Neither COAST or 180solutions returned telephone calls seeking comment.

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