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Macrovision Corporation Uses Legal Scare Tactics Against Emerging CompetitorInstallAware Software Corporation.
Macrovision Banks on Legal Scare Tactics to Stifle Competition and Thwart Attemptsto Educate Developers about the Emerging Standard in Software Installations
San Francisco, CA, February 6 2006  InstallAware Software Corporation announced thereceipt of a legal scare letter from Macrovision Corporation, alleging that softwaredevelopers may confuse the InstallAware website and products with the defunct ZeroGCorporationÂ's website. The letter went on to assert rights over  the proprietaryhypertext markup language and Java scripts [sic] used in the defunct ZeroGCorporation website, now owned by Macrovision Corporation.
Recently InstallAware Software Corporation launched a  Switch and Win campaign toencourage users of competitive products to download and try InstallAware, Version5.0 Installation Toolkit and determine for themselves which is a superior product.  It seems terribly coincidental that this legal scare letter arrives on the heels ofour  Switch and WinÂ' campaign, observes Sinan Karaca, CEO and Founder ofInstallAware Software Corporation. Until March 1st, 2006 users of InstallShield,Wise, and ZeroG products who convert to InstallAware receive 30 days of freeproject-conversion support, and are entered into a drawing for a chance to win afree Apple iPod shuffle.  We are seeing very high levels of interest inInstallAware. More and more developers and consultants are switching to InstallAwarefrom legacy tools. Our users know they are getting a better product and bettersupport at a better price. We see Macrovision's decision to use legal scare tacticsregarding some inconsequential text on the InstallAware website as a sign that theonce mature installation market is ready for a major change.Â
InstallAware has pioneered installation technologies such as WebAware Components andup to five times better compression, which are still unmatched in the industry, afull two years after InstallAwareÂ's initial launch. More information on howInstallAware is attracting former InstallShield and ZeroG users is available athttp://www.installaware.com /10-migrate.htm.
Macrovision, with an assortment of Digital Rights Management, CD/DVD CopyProtection, Video Copy Protection, Peer to Peer Copy Protection, License Managementand Software Installation products, shipped its InstallShield 11.5, with two hotfixes issued immediately after product release.  I consider InstallShield to be fartoo unreliable to use, writes Thomas Tomiczek, Microsoft MVP and founder ofPowerNodes Corporation, on the InstallAware public forums athttp://www.installaware.com /forum/.
 After acquiring two of the top install vendors in the industry and mixing itsproduct portfolio, Macrovision would appear to be resorting to sending legal scareletters to competitors, instead of competing fairly and squarely, adds Roy Nevens,Vice President of Sales and Support for InstallAware Software Corporation.  Wesimply provide a better product and better support.  As a recent InstallShieldconvert, I've been very impressed with the quick responses to questions, hails JoelHess, a Software Engineer from Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
In its letter, Macrovision claims that InstallAwareÂ's website design is  likely toconfuse consumers and lead them to erroneously associate InstallAwareÂ's product withMacrovision. In response to MacrovisionÂ's completely unfounded accusations,InstallAware Software Corporation is requesting input from software developers,asking them  Are You Confused? Macrovision, InstallShield, ZeroG and InstallAwaresoftware developers are invited to compare the InstallAware(http://www.insta llaware.com) and Macrovision/InstallShield/Zero G websites(http://www.macrovisi on.com) and vote(http://www.installaware. com/installaware-are-you-confu sed.asp) whether they areconfused in any way by the alleged similarities between the two websites andassociated products. A copy of the letter sent by Macrovision to InstallAwareSoftware Corporation can be found at this web address:http://www.installawa re.com/threat/.
Mark Cuban, the owner of Dallas Mavericks and co-founder of Broadcast.com, shedslight on MacrovisionÂ's tactics in his blog entry athttp://www.blogmaverick.com /entry/1234000957046914/. Mark mentions a recent lawsuitby Macrovision against companies breaking MacrovisionÂ's copy protection. Mark viewsthis as evidence that MacrovisionÂ's software fails to work as designed, andhighlights Macrovision preferred legal action instead of improving their software.
InstallAware, Version 5, is the emerging leader in software development tools forMicrosoft Windows software developers using Windows Installer (MSI) technologies. It is available in four editions, with prices starting at US$199. A time limitedtrial and more information is available at http://www.installaware.com/.
About InstallAware Software Corporation
InstallAware Software Corporation, founded in 2003, is a software developmentcompany focused solely on state of the art software installation tools which offerthe highest compression ratios and bullet-proof installations. The company producessoftware installation and compression technologies for the Windows Installer (MSI)platform on the Microsoft Windows Operating System. InstallAware is supported bythousands of users worldwide, and is a Borland Technology Partner. For moreinformation, visit www.installaware.com.
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ME DIA CONTACT:
Sinan KaracaInstallAware Software CorporationEmail: sinank@installaware.comPhone: 415-358-4094
InstallShield and ZeroG are registered trademarks and/or service marks ofMacrovision Corporation and/or Macrovision Europe Ltd. in the United States and/orother countries. Wise Installation System is a registered trademark of WiseSolutions, Inc. iPod shuffle is a registered trademark and/or service mark of AppleComputer, Inc.
