Sony has been forced into an embarrassing u-turn following the decision by the company to charge its laptop customers for the priviledge of removing software they neither want or need. 

As reported on Absolute Gadget last Friday, Sony was to charge $50 (£25) for its "Fresh Start" option. This basically removed lots of bundled and trial software such as Microsoft Works SE 9.0  and a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office, Sony's Vaio Creation Suite Photo Software that comes with a 30-day trial version of Corel Paint Shop Pro; the Click to Disc video editor; WinDVD, and a free edition of QuickBooks Simple Start that can only track 20 customers.

But now, the company has been forced to can the charge following a media outcry. Sony Vaio division vice president, Mike Abary told ZDNet.com that the charge was the result of an internal mix-up (we believe you!)

"We heard the message loud and clear," said Arbary. "Vaio is the poster child for negative experiences people had [with trialware]. We recognise that, and we acknowledge it. We've been really beat up by this issue. We're listening and we're taking action." He said the fee had now been dropped.

The company will now let customers in the US to pre-configure software on the laptop and can remove all tatware for free.

As to if this move will be replicated outside the US or indeed by other manufacturers. Well you guess is as good as ours. We won't be holding our breaths!