Know about the Core Technology Engine and Pattern File support terms.
Engineering Support
Trend Micro provides engineering support (bug fixes, modifications and enhancements) for the most recently released version of each Core Technology Engine only. Engineering support ends once a new version of an engine is released to all affected active update servers. Therefore, customers must install the most current version of each Core Technology Engine in order to receive bug fixes or engine modifications that protect them from the latest security threats.
Core Technology engine includes and is not limited to the following engines: Virus and Spyware Scan Engine, Damage Cleanup Engine, AntiSpam Engine, Behavior Monitoring Engine, Firewall Engine, AntiRootkit engine, ActiveUpdate engine, which can be updated by an active update mechanism.
End of Support and corresponding product patch release schedule for Non-Active Core Technology engines will be announced accordingly.
Pattern File Support
Trend Micro will continue to release pattern files that operate with a Core Technology Engine for six (6) months after a new Engine has been released on all platforms. For example, pattern file support for Scan Engine 6.9 ended in October 2004 since Scan Engine 7.0 was available on all platforms in April 2004.
Trend Micro does not warrant that new pattern files will operate effectively on older Core Technology engines once the more recent version has been released on all platforms for at least six (6) months.