AutoProf Claims a Victory in ScriptLogic Lawsuit.

Business Editors/Legal Writers/High-Tech Writers

PORTSMOUTH, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 2003

AutoProf announced today that Boca Raton, Florida based ScriptLogic Corporation has withdrawn its Motion for Preliminary Injunction in the lawsuit ScriptLogic brought against AutoProf in the United States District Court in Miami, Florida. Among other things, the Preliminary Injunction requested that the Court order AutoProf to remove a whitepaper comparison of AutoProf and ScriptLogic software from its website. ScriptLogic had claimed that the whitepaper was "false and misleading," particularly in the area of security vulnerabilities present in certain ScriptLogic software, and that AutoProf had violated ScriptLogic's copyrights in preparing the whitepaper.

AutoProf CEO John Moyer stated, "In our opinion, ScriptLogic's withdrawal of its Preliminary Injunction Motion is a clear indication that it understood that this aspect of its case could not withstand the scrutiny of the courtroom. As we have maintained throughout this action, ScriptLogic is merely using litigation to discourage fair competition and confuse the market." Despite abandoning its efforts to block publication of the whitepaper, ScriptLogic continues to maintain the lawsuit, even in the face of three Vulnerability Notes published by the CERT/CC, which validate AutoProf's claims that ScriptLogic 4.01 software may create network security vulnerabilities. Moyer added "We again call on ScriptLogic to drop this meritless suit and to focus on the needs of its remaining customers; however, if it does not, we are willing, able, and committed to defending both our leadership position in the marketplace, and our rights in court."

To celebrate its legal victory, AutoProf will again institute its competitive upgrade discount, effective immediately through the end of November 2003. This discount will apply to those organizations holding licenses of ScriptLogic software that wish to upgrade to Profile Maker 8 Professional.

AutoProf CTO Eric Voskuil noted that the timing of ScriptLogic's decision to withdraw its Preliminary Injunction Motion is, "to say the least, interesting," in that it occurred just one day following the announcement of ScriptLogic's latest product release. Voskuil stated, "The new product, named 'Desktop Authority 5', appears to be an attempt by ScriptLogic to distance itself from problems with its 'ScriptLogic' software; however, the new product incorporates the same basic ScriptLogic software technology. The most significant difference between this and past offerings is the incorporation of a third party remote control package - and a tripling of the retail price."

Moyer added, "AutoProf is an innovator and leader in the technology of desktop management. This innovation continues to threaten ScriptLogic's aging architecture, based largely on KiXtart and other proprietary components acquired from third parties and repackaged as their own. Instead of innovating, ScriptLogic is attempting to suppress competition." Moyer also noted that "while it sues AutoProf for its truthful advertising claims, ScriptLogic's current advertising makes the unsupportable claim to being 'creator of the world's best selling, GUI-based desktop administration software.'"

AutoProf's products are based on industry standards such as eXtensible Markup Language (XML), Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), Microsoft Management Console (MMC), Microsoft's Group Policy, Active Directory, Windows Scripting Host (WSH), Microsoft Installer (MSI), Crystal Reports, ZIP compression, DES and RSA encryption, and are tightly integrated with the native Windows security model.

Voskuil added that, "AutoProf is reinforcing its commitment to easy, fast, secure, and powerful standards-driven computer management products with it's latest update to the Profile Maker suite, version 8.0.6, and its soon to be released Policy Maker system - the first, and currently only, product to implement Microsoft's Group Policy Extension architecture."

Related Information

Government Computer News reported news of the ScriptLogic lawsuit in a article by columnist William Jackson titled "Vendors Battle Over Airing Software Flaws," dated December 16, 2002 (http://www.gcn.com/21_34/tech-report/20634-1.html). More information concerning this article and AutoProf's position may be found in the January 9, 2003 AutoProf press release (http://www.autoprof.com/media/news/jan_9_03.html).

Availability and Pricing

For information on Profile Maker 8 Professional pricing, upgrades, the above mentioned discount, free evaluation software, reselling and purchasing options please go to www.AutoProf.com or contact sales at either [e-mail] or 1.603.433.5885.

About CERT/CC

The CERT/CC is part of the Networked System Survivability Program located at the Software Engineering Institute ("SEI"), a research and development center and non-academic unit of Carnegie Mellon University. The CERT/CC was founded as the result of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency directive to the SEI to establish a center to coordinate communication among experts during security emergencies and to help prevent future security incidents. More information concerning CERT/CC's findings and AutoProf's position may be found in the May 23, 2003 AutoProf press release (http://www.autoprof.com/media/news/may_23_03.html).

About AutoProf

AutoProf develops and markets intuitive desktop management software worldwide through a network of value added resellers and distributors. Since the introduction of its first product in 1997, AutoProf has sold its software to over 2,500 customers worldwide, including Airbus, Alliance Capital, Standard & Poor's, and PepsiCo. For more information on this Portsmouth, NH-based company, visit www.AutoProf.com or call 1.603.433.5885.