Web browser developer Opera Software has permanently removed the ad banner and licensing fee from its Web browser, focusing instead on creating revenue from integrated search functionality.

"It feels good to be able to do this, because we think it will give users a better experience," said Opera communications director Tor Odland. "For us, it will help us increase market share and make ourselves available to those outside the technological world."

"It's an excellent time for browsers that are an alternative to Internet Explorer," Odland noted. "We're joining Firefox in the crusade to win IE users."

"At one point, Opera had the room to eat away at IE's market, but it could be that now it's too late," he said. "Adoption with Firefox is slowing as the early adopter crowd is drying up. That means Opera and Firefox will have to compete for the mainstream, where there are fewer converts available for alternative browsers."

In addition to its model change, Opera also noted that two security vulnerabilities reported by Secunia on Tuesday have been patched in the most recent browser, Opera 8.50.