What does it mean that a single per unique user fee will include usage of the group of authentication-based Web services? Can I pay for just one API?
The USD $0.0625/UU/quarter fee includes usage of the group of authentication-based services in the table on the Windows Live Platform Licensing page, whether you incorporate one service or multiple services on your Web site. This is intended to simplify tracking on your Web site with a single pricing model for these services.
What does it mean that “the number of monthly UUs will be evaluated on a quarterly basis”?
The number of unique users per quarter will be calculated by taking the average of the number of unique users who visit your site each month during the three-month period in a calendar quarter. For example: 900,000 unique users visit your site in January, 1,000,000 in February, and 1,100,000 in March. For the calendar quarter, you had an average of 1 million unique users, which meets or exceeds the 1 million unique user “free” threshold. For the calendar quarter, you would be charged for 1,000,000 unique users multiplied by the rate of USD $0.0625 per UU per quarter, or USD $62,500. Note: You will be charged for the entire number of unique users. Alternative arrangements may also be available when the services emerge from beta, including ad revenue sharing with Microsoft. More information will be provided when available.
I only use Windows Live ID on my Web site for authentication. I don’t use any of the other Windows Live Platform services, like the Windows Live Contacts API. Will I be charged?
No. Use of the Windows Live ID Web Authentication service is currently free.
I’ve incorporated several Windows Live Platform services, including the Windows Live ID and Windows Live Contacts API, into my Web site. My site has 3 million registered users, but only 500,000 registered users log in each month using Windows Live ID and Live Contacts API. Will I need to pay for all 3 million users to use these services?
In this case, no, you will not be charged for your Web site’s total user base of 3 million. You will be charged only for unique users who are visitors: 1) that authenticate using their Windows Live ID (directly or through delegation), and 2) whose actions (their own or their delegate’s) result in server requests to Windows Live Platform services to access their data. In this situation, there are 500,000 UUs each month, which is less than the “free” 1 million unique user threshold.
How will I know when my Web site has 1 million unique users?
Once the services emerge from beta, we will notify you using the e-mail address you used to register your domain when you reach an average of 1 million or more unique users per month over a quarter. At such time, you will need to enter into a commercial agreement. More information will be provided when available.
When will you begin charging for access to Windows Live Platform services?
We will charge for Windows Live Platform services when they emerge from beta toward the end of 2008 or beginning of 2009. The Alerts API is released, but is currently available at no charge while the other authenticated Windows Live Platform services are in beta.
When will you have pricing for Microsoft Silverlight Streaming by Windows Live?
Microsoft is in the process of evaluating Silverlight Streaming and will provide pricing details when this information is available.