Zhou Hongyi, the chairman of a popular anti-virus software producer Qihoo 360, used his micro blog to dismiss a rumor about a plan to launch instant messenger services.

Earlier reports said 360 would launch an instant tool quite identical to QQ, a leading instant-messaging tool run by Tencent. Afterwards, the two companies engaged in a bitter battle, accusing each other of unfair play.

Zhou denied the rumor through his micro blog yesterday evening. He said that 360 has no plan to do instant messenger services and that it won’t copy other companies.

On September 27th, 360 alleged that Tencent was putting code in its products to monitor users’ PCs, stirring a battle.

China's business press carried the story above on Tuesday. China.org.cn has not checked the stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.