When it comes to protecting its base of coveted developer customers, IBM Rational is acting like an insecure suitor by suddenly disinviting potential rivals to its big party, according to a vendor that was asked not to attend.

At least one vendor, Genuitec, maker of the MyEclipse IDE (integrated development environment) has said an IBM official called its representative and told them <A HREF="http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Application-Development/IBM-Partners-Blocked-From-Rational-Conference/?kc=EWKNLNAV040408STR4">Genuitec was not welcome at the Rational Software Development Conference</A> this year. Another company, AccuRev, which markets software configuration management and other solutions that compete with Rational's products, received a similar call. Both companies attended RSDC last year and exhibited in the event's exhibit area.