Kazaa launches premium service

The developers of P2P file sharing program Kazaa have launched a fee-carrying version of the software, in an effort to shake off Kazaa's reputation as a piracy haven and build a viable business around the software.

A $29.95 (£19) fee buys users a licence to Kazaa Plus, which is advertising-free and offers more advanced search and download options.

Kazaa owner Sharman Networks will continue distributing a free version of Kazaa, which is partially supported by pop-up and banner ads.

Kazaa Plus allows users to download files from up to 40 sources at once, doing away with the free version's eight-source restriction. It also includes enhanced virus protection and customer support via e-mail.

Kazaa remains one of the P2P services in the sights of governmental regulators and entertainment industry executives because of the file pirating its network enables.

A software update earlier this year enabled Sharman Networks to sell through Kazaa "premium" music, software and video files from professional content creators

Stacy Cowley writes for IDG News Service