map-api-or-controls-licenses

Map API or Controls Licenses

2010-09-14

Not all Map service is free, most of them need licenses, but they provide free using under some rules.

Here is example of Microsoft Silverlight maps control for Developers:

Developers at all types of organizations can use the Bing Maps Platform for free, under the following conditions:
* Use is on public-facing, non-password protected Web sites
* Limit of 125,000 sessions or 500,000 transactions in a 12 month period
Developers using the Bing Maps Platform for free receive:
* Full choice of Bing Maps APIs
* Aerial, road, and Streetside™
* Access to documentation and developer articles on MSDN
* Access to the developer forum for support questions

Google, Microsoft, ArcGIS all need license fee if the software deploy and customer use. But free for development.

1: Bing Maps Licensing and Pricing Information: http://www.microsoft.com/maps/product/licensing.aspx

2: ArcGIS: http://www.esri.com/software/mapping_for_everyone/api/pricing.html