Antivirus firm McAfee has said that it has just been awarded a patent to deliver software as a web service.

But the move may tread on the toes of other companies with similar designs.

The patent for a "method and system for securing, managing or optimizing a personal computer" (patent number 6,266,774) was filed in 1998 and granted late last month.

It describes a method of delivering software through a web browser; specifically, "encapsulated within a markup language communication unit ... comprising scripts for performing said one or more maintenance tasks."

Although accurately describing a method of antivirus updating, the description could also be confused with other concepts such as Microsoft's .Net platform.

But seeing as McAfee is already a partner in the .Net project, it seems unlikely that the company will tread on Microsoft's toes.

However, Srivats Sampath, president and chief executive of McAfee.com, indicated that the company would still be playing hardball.

He was quoted by Itworld.com as saying: "You either work with us or you work around this patent."

McAfee also plans to license the technology to other companies.

"As an early pioneer in this area, this patent further reinforces our belief that the future lies in software applications being delivered online as web services to users around the world.

"This patent also reinforces our first mover advantage by securing our foothold in this space," Sampath added in an issued statement.