My IT director went to CA World and all I got was this lousy T-shirt

One of the world's largest software companies, Computer Associates (CA), is charging for its logoed conference T-shirts at its annual CA World event.

The T-shirt, branded with a CA logo, is usually given for free to delegates who pay over $900 each to attend to the conference. But this year CA has decided to charge $30 for the T-shirt, claiming the charge represents the clothing's true value.

A CA spokeswoman said: "The reason we are charging people for the T-shirt this year is to demonstrate its good quality and long lasting value."

Those attendees who wish to purchase the T-shirt can buy it from the CA shop located at the conference centre.

The company has also stopped providing delegates with a free bag, but has provided a folder instead.

Many software developers attending the event were outraged by the withdrawal of the T-shirts, because part of their conference routine consists of collecting freebies from vendors.

One said: "It is outrageous they want us to pay for a company logoed T-shirt. After all, it's all free advertising for them."