Trend Micro Inc is claiming to be the first anti-virus vendor to offer a virus response service level agreement to business customers. With the introduction of its SLA offering, the Tokyo, Japan-based company is offering a financial payment to customers if it fails to meet a two-hour deadline for virus detection.

The Virus Response SLA is available to customers that subscribe to Trend Micro's Gold-level or higher premium support program, and is designed to ensure that customers get a guaranteed response to potential virus threats.

According to the SLA, Trend Micro's TrendLabs research and support organization will immediately verify whether or not the reported case is a virus, and if it is will deliver a fully tested and qualified pattern file to detect the virus within two hours. The Virus Response SLA is available now in the Americas, Asia and Japan, and a similar service is planned for Europe.

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