Like I said, it's a one time fee of $160. Once you've payed that, it's yours forever. Alternately, you could pay $85 every year.

Yes, the Branding Free Option means that you can remove the copyright notices in the displayed page (but not in the PHP code).

Yes, there are shop hacks, shoutbox hacks, and many others for vB.

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=33
Note that you will have to buy vB and register your e-mail for support before this site will allow you to get the info to install the hacks.