In the August/September Opera newsletter, it was announced that Opera have now removed the licensing and adverts from their browser.

I love this browser and would recommend everyone give it a trial, particularly now that you can do so without the ad's.  Responsible for so many innovations such as tabbed browsing, mouse gestures and widely accepted as the most secure, standard adherent and fastest rendering browser available on Windows, it is a delight to use and the innovative M2 mail client is a dream come true.

Here is the full press release...

" Feel Free: Opera Eliminates Ad Banner and Licensing Fee

Oslo, Norway - September 20, 2005

Opera Software today permanently removed the ad banner and licensing fee from its award-winning Web browser. The ad-free, full-featured Opera browser is now available for download - completely free of charge – at http://www.opera.com .

"Today we invite the entire Internet community to use Opera and experience Web browsing as it should be," said Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. "Removing the ad banner and licensing fee will encourage many new users to discover the speed, security and unmatched usability of the Opera browser."

Opera was previously available free of charge with an ad banner. Users had the option of paying a licensing fee to remove the ad banner and receive premium support.

"Opera fans around the globe made this day possible," said von Tetzchner. "As we grow our userbase, our mission and our promise remain steadfast: we will always offer the best Internet experience to our users - on any device. Today this mission gains new ground."

Availability

Download the Opera browser , available in 20 languages. The complete download is less than 4MB.

About the Opera Browser

Already regarded as the world's fastest, most secure browser, Opera speeds up your Web browsing with these innovative features:

• Navigate quickly using intuitive mouse gestures and browser tabs
• Start from where your last browsing session ended or save your entire session
• Access downloaded files quickly with the transfer manager
• Protect against identity theft and phishing with integrated security features
• Speak up: surf the Web hands-free using voice commands
• Shop Amazon, browse Ebay, and search the Web with Google right from the address bar
• Set reminders for Web pages you visit with the notes feature

Additional information

A complete list of features

Screenshots"