Intentia chief executive Bjoern Algkvist told AFP that in an internal investigation to determine how the information leaked out last Thursday the company discovered there had been an unauthorized entry into its information systems.

Intentia maintains that evidence left by the intruder suggests the illegal maneuver can be traced to a Reuters computer.

"We are seeking verification (through a police inquiry) of our own information, according to which there was an illegal intrusion," added company financial director Haakan Gyrulf.

A complaint was lodged Monday with the criminal division of the Swedish police charging "illegal usage of computer data" on October 24.

The action confirmed a report earlier in the day by the Financial Times newspaper, which quoted a Reuters official rejecting the allegation.

Reuters Nordic bureau chief Jonathan Lynn told the paper the agency was "surprised" by Intentia's accusation.

"We published Intentia's results after they became available on the Internet," he said.

SPACE.WIRE