Vuze, Inc.

Vuze, Inc. (formerly Azureus, Inc.) is a company formed by some of the core developers of the open source BitTorrent client Azureus. Based in San Mateo, California, it bills itself as "the company behind Azureus".

In January 2007, the company launched an Azureus-powered open entertainment platform called Vuze (formerly Zudeo), which is intended to enable content providers to easily distribute their content over the Internet.

The company claimed to have "distribution deals with 12 television, film and media companies" and now seems to have deals with over 100 content providers around the world. Vuze attracts and features content from global television networks (BBC, Showtime, PBS, A&E, National Geographic Channel & more), production studios and content creators. Vuze also provides viewers with content that can be viewed on a computer monitor or connected TV.

In November 2007, Vuze filed a petition with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to restrict Internet traffic throttling by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Vuze filed its “Petition for Rulemaking” to urge the FCC to adopt regulations limiting Internet traffic throttling, a practice by which ISPs block or slow the speed at which Internet content, including video files, can be uploaded or downloaded. In December 2007, Vuze secured $20 million in its C round of funding. This round was led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), with existing investors Redpoint Ventures, Greycoft Partners, BV Capital, and Jarl Mohn participating. As a result of the investment, TiVo Co-Founder and former CEO Mike Ramsay joined the Vuze Board of Directors.

In December 2006, the BBC announced that hundreds of episodes of its programs will be made available through Vuze (restricted by DRM).