Do the established anti virus companies jealously protect their sample database?

How does a relatively new anti virus company/product get it's signature database up to speed? The old favourites must have been collecting samples and receiving submissions for years. Is there a 'store' where a company can buy a great wad of samples?

Do the established anti virus companies jealously protect their sample database?

 

Jotti just added Zoner Antivirus; a mail scanner I believe.
http://virusscan.jotti.org

 

Isn't there something like a common database of malware where all collected malware is stored and each AV company can analyze and add detection for as many samples as they want?

Otherwise there are still trading of collections between AV-companies which would do some good at least

BTW. Yes, I am aware of one website "selling" samples, but of course in the AV industry many companies think it not worthy to pay for samples

 

I assume trading amongst the top boys is done but what if you're new and have little or nothing to trade?

Since much of an anti virus is signature based how do they get started??

Might pop a question into Comodo anti virus forum.

 

its pretty obvious that they dont know.