This one didn't, and it had been left removable from BearShare from day one so
the few who didn't want it could uninstall it without losing BearShare. All
WhenU did was display ads, which is why it is generally considered the only
relatively benign adware in existence.

The old versions of Pro, Lite and betas were free of adware. As far as I know,
the new owners are completely the opposite and intend to force Zango on
everyone quickly to make a quick buck before it drives masses of people away.

I suppose they hope to have a replacement with music sales built in and the
spyware will help repel people from BearShare to the new product.

It's a risky gamble if they can't get a catalog up right away.

Personally, I would have taken the opposite tack, gotten back in contact
with the public by reopening the forums and chat, and then moved with the
customers into the new model instead of moving against the customers by
raiding them with the worst spyware and hiding in the new fortress they made.

If they want to stand half a chance they will have to restart wide open public
beta testing, not so much to find and avoid bugs but to fit the software to
the users as it grows and changes. That's why BearShare became so powerful
and popular and also largely why iMesh withered and died. It was our advice
which led to the long and profitable relationship with WhenU and Fastclick.