Kazaa Without The Spyware

from the good-idea dept

It’s amazing how the first thing companies seem to think about when anyone does anything relating to their company is how quickly they can sue them. Kazaa, who has pissed off a large number of people by sneakily adding spyware and other random programs to their software, is angry at a new program called Kazaa Lite – which is basically Kazaa’s file sharing program, without all their annoying spyware. The funniest part is the statement from Sharman Networks (owners of Kazaa), saying: “Consumers are being deceived with ripped off and highly suspect code, and we are determined that their rights, enjoyment and machines are not prejudiced.” That’s funny, I would think that Kazaa is guilty of deceiving and ripping off customers with their own highly suspect code. Anyway, at the end of the article, the guy who hosts the Kazaa Lite website makes a very good point – saying that Kazaa Lite is actually very beneficial for Kazaa. It attracts people who otherwise wouldn’t use Kazaa (because of the spyware), but puts them on the same network so Kazaa users have more users to trade files with.


Rate this comment as insightful
Rate this comment as funny
You have rated this comment as insightful
You have rated this comment as funny
Flag this comment as abusive/trolling/spam
You have flagged this comment
The first word has already been claimed
The last word has already been claimed
Insightful Lightbulb icon Funny Laughing icon Abusive/trolling/spam Flag icon Insightful badge Lightbulb icon Funny badge Laughing icon Comments icon

Comments on “Kazaa Without The Spyware”

Subscribe: RSS Leave a comment
8 Comments
Cory says:

Kazaa's Partner programs

I manage a tech support department for a large number of ISP’s and I tell you, nothing breaks a computers ability to resolve DNS like that New.Net crap that comes with Kazaa. Its amazing to me that New.Net is even still in business, because their program is junk and their business model flies in the face of how the internet is supposed to work.

Thanks to Kazaa’s popularity and the fact they bundle that crap with their install and that most users dont even pay attention to what they are installing makes for a lot of time, money and effort by the people charged with repairing stuff when they break it.

I hope Kazaa sees the error of their ways with this Kazaa lite and actual takes steps to reduce and/or eliminate their partnered programs.

Mike (profile) says:

Re: Re: Kazaa's Partner programs

how would they make money without bundled programs?

The thing that amazes me is how concerned people are with questions like this. Honestly, it’s their job to figure out a business model. Sure, they want bundled programs, but consumers don’t like. Consumers want a program that comes without spyware, and so someone has figured out how to give that to them. It’s up to Kazaa to design a better business model.

Morpheus worked on the same network and they never saw the need to bundle spyware and other hidden programs.

Leave a Reply to Rama Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here

Comment Options:

Make this the or (get credits or sign in to see balance) what's this?

What's this?

Techdirt community members with Techdirt Credits can spotlight a comment as either the "First Word" or "Last Word" on a particular comment thread. Credits can be purchased at the Techdirt Insider Shop »

Follow Techdirt

Techdirt Daily Newsletter

Ctrl-Alt-Speech

A weekly news podcast from
Mike Masnick & Ben Whitelaw

Subscribe now to Ctrl-Alt-Speech »
Techdirt Deals
Techdirt Insider Discord
The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...
Loading...