MySpace will launch its program to court outside software developers in February in a bid to widen the gap against rival Facebook. Over the past year, rival Facebook has moved aggressively to close the gap between it and MySpace, a division of News Corp.

Developers have cited, as one reason for Facebook's rapid growth, its policy of opening up its platform to entrepreneurs to profit from creating applications from the silly -- like the ability to throw sheep at each other -- to the functional, such as sharing photos.

Developers can register for more information at developer.myspace.com beginning on Wednesday. The program was originally announced in October 2007.