A new Web-based game that lets players pretend to catch Osama bin Laden is annoying some America Online Instant Messenger users with its viruslike self-promotion. The new game, called Osama Found, grabs names from a user"s AOL Instant Messenger address book and automatically sends those users instant messages with links to a Web page where the game can be downloaded.
America Online is aware of the problem and is considering legal action against the maker of the game, according to Andrew Weinstein, an AOL spokesperson. Osama Found is not a virus or an Instant Message worm, but an example of what some call adware, Weinstein says. Such software runs in the background on a computer and can be used by marketers to display advertisements and promotions on a user"s desktop.