"clones" of ABC Accounts

During the time we have been developing the ABC Accounts software, there have been several "clones" (copies, with slight alterations) of our programs put on sale by other companies.

As far as we know, all those "cloned" products are based on the early ABC version1 software. (after we realised what was happening, we tightened up security procedures, and were not so casual about releasing source code to people who had signed non-disclosure agreements).

Also, as far as we know, all the original companies who started this "piracy" have now ceased trading; including ABC Systems Ltd and TreeRiver Ltd.
This does complicate matters as some new companies are currently selling leftovers from those days (maybe repackaged in new boxes) and may not even be aware of the history or age of what they are selling.  Consequently we now take a fairly liberal attitude towards anyone who phones up to ask for software updates or support, for their "pirate" version of our software; but we do try to persuade them to upgrade to the latest ABC. Or as we might sing it -- "Send in the Clones".

Clones of ABC version 1 that we know about, include: ABC3, ABC+ (ABC Plus), AE OFFICE (Alderney Enterprises OFFICE), THE BUSINESS PROCESSOR.

Although the companies concerned always denied they were doing anything wrong, what makes it all a bit of a joke is that in most cases their User Manuals were simply word-for-word copies of our copyrighted Manuals and their software still contains our copyright notices (and old phonenumbers) buried inside.