Licensing Options

Microsoft PlayReady is a universal solution designed to provide content protection for a broad spectrum of product categories, content types and business models. The PlayReady platform offers solutions for device manufacturers, service providers and application developers in a variety of industries.

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21

To develop an intermediate device (i.e. not end-user ready) that supports PlayReady you must execute the following agreements:

  • PlayReady Master Agreement (download sample)
  • PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution License (download sample)

After these agreements are executed, you may receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • PlayReady Device Porting Kit
  • Applicable test certificates

Fees

  • $50,000 one-time license fee, due upon agreement execution
  • $25,000 annual maintenance fee, due upon the anniversary of the agreement effective date

Distribution rights

  • Source code: Licensees may only distribute SOURCE code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees.
  • Object Code: Licensees may distribute OBJECT code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees and/or PlayReady Device Final Product Distribution Licensees.

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.
22

For licensees who do not require a device porting kit, but who plan to distribute PlayReady Intermediate Products to other PlayReady device licensees that distribute PlayReady Final Products you must execute the following agreements:

  • PlayReady Master Agreement (download sample)
  • PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution License (download sample)

No deliverables distributed

Fees

  • $10,000 administrative fee, due upon agreement execution

Distribution rights

  • Source code: Licensees may only distribute SOURCE code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees.
  • Object Code: Licensees may only distribute OBJECT code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees and/or PlayReady Device Final Product Distribution Licensees.

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.
23

For licensees who do not require a device porting kit, but who plan to distribute PlayReady Intermediate Products to other PlayReady device licensees that distribute PlayReady Final Products you must execute the following agreements:To develop a device that supports PlayReady integrating components from another PlayReady licensee provided in source code from, you must execute the following agreements:

  • PlayReady Master Agreement (download sample)
  • PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution License (download sample)

After these agreements are executed, you may receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • PlayReady Device Porting Kit
  • Test Device Certificate

Fees

  • $50,000 one-time License Fee, due upon execution
  • $25,000 Annual Maintenance, due upon each anniversary of the agreement effective date

Distribution rights

  • Source code: Licensees may only distribute SOURCE code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees.
  • Object Code: Licensees may only distribute OBJECT code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees and/or PlayReady Device Final Product Distribution Licensees.

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.
24

To develop a device that supports PlayReady integrating object code components from another PlayReady licensee, you must execute the following agreements:

  • PlayReady Master Agreement (download sample)
  • PlayReady Device Final Product Distribution License (download sample)

After these agreements are executed, you may receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • PlayReady Certificate Generation Kit
  • Production Device Certificate

Fees

  • $30,000 advance payment of royalties, due upon agreement execution
  • Per unit royalty with quarterly volume discount

Distribution rights

  • Object Code: Licensees may only distribute object code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees and/or the PlayReady Device Final Product Distribution Licensees.
  • As Final Product: unrestricted

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.
30

To distribute a PlayReady-enabled device to end users, you must execute the following agreements:

  • PlayReady Master Agreement (download sample)
  • PlayReady Device Final Product License (download sample)

After these agreements are executed, you may receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • PlayReady Certificate Generation Kit
  • Production Device Certificate

Fees

  • $30,000 advance payment of royalties, due upon agreement execution
  • Per unit royalty with quarterly volume discount

Distribution rights

  • Object Code: Licensees may only distribute object code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees and/or the PlayReady Device Final Product Distribution Licensees.
  • Final Product: Licensees may distribute PlayReady Final Products to end users.

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.
41

To develop a downloadable application that supports PlayReady, you must execute the following agreements:

  • PlayReady Master Agreement (download sample)
  • PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution License (download sample)

After these agreements are executed, you may receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • PlayReady Device Porting Kit
  • Applicable test certificates

Fees

  • $50,000 one-time license fee, due upon agreement execution
  • $25,000 annual maintenance fee, due upon the anniversary of the agreement effective date

Distribution rights

  • Source code: Licensees may only distribute SOURCE code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees.
  • Object Code: Licensees may distribute OBJECT code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees and/or PlayReady Device Final Product Distribution Licensees.

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.
42

To develop a downloadable application that supports PlayReady, you must execute the following agreements:

  • PlayReady Master Agreement (download sample)
  • PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution License (download sample)

After these agreements are executed, you may receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • PlayReady Device Porting Kit
  • Applicable test certificates

Fees

  • $50,000 one-time license fee, due upon agreement execution
  • $25,000 annual maintenance fee, due upon the anniversary of the agreement effective date

Distribution rights

  • Source code: Licensees may only distribute SOURCE code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees.
  • Object Code: Licensees may distribute OBJECT code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees and/or PlayReady Device Final Product Distribution Licensees.

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.
43

To develop a downloadable application that supports PlayReady integrating object code components from another PlayReady licensee, you must execute the following agreements:

  • PlayReady Master Agreement (download sample)
  • PlayReady Device Final Product License (download sample)

After these documents are executed, you will receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • Production Certificates

Fees

  • $30,000 advance payment of royalties, due upon execution
  • Per unit royalty with quarterly volume discount

Distribution rights

  • Object Code: Licensees may only distribute object code implementations of PlayReady to other PlayReady Device Development and Intermediate Product Distribution Licensees and/or the PlayReady Device Final Product Distribution Licensees.
  • As Final Product: unrestricted

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.
44

To license the Microsoft iOS SDK to build and distribute your application to end users please contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com>.
51

To distribute a downloadable application that supports PlayReady you must execute the following agreements:

  • PlayReady Master Agreement (download sample)
  • PlayReady Device Final Product License (download sample)

After these agreements are executed, you may receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • PlayReady Certificate Generation Kit
  • Production Device Certificate

Fees

  • $30,000 advance payment of royalties, due upon agreement execution
  • Per unit royalty with quarterly volume discount

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.
52

To license the Microsoft iOS SDK to build and distribute your application to end users please contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com>.
60

As a device manufacturer, mobile operator, or ISV, you can create and distribute PC applications supporting Microsoft PlayReady. To access the PlayReady PC SDK you must execute the following agreement:

  • PlayReady PC Software Application Development and Distribution Agreement (download sample)

After this agreement is executed, you may receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • PlayReady PC Software Development Kit
  • Security-level 150 test certificate

Fees

  • $5,000 license fee
  • $10,000 certificate fee for each major release of a licensed product. See below for more information on obtaining security-level 2000 certificates.

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.

Steps to request and receive security-level 2000 certificates

For each Major Release* of a licensed product for which you are requesting a security-level 2000 certificate, the following steps must be completed:

  1. Submit to Microsoft a completed Certificate Request Form, in the form set forth in Exhibit A of the Agreement, and the payment of a non-refundable certificate fee of U.S. $10,000.
  2. Submit a copy of each licensed product compiled with a security-level 150 certificate and the associated end-user license agreement to Microsoft, along with any associated hardware or software necessary to evaluate the compliance of the licensed product with the terms and conditions of the agreement, and the conformance of the licensed product to the Compliance Rules and Robustness Rules.
  3. Within 30 days after completing the first two steps above, Microsoft will either (i) provide the requested certificate or certificates, or (ii) provide a notice identifying provisions of the agreement, the compliance rules, or the robustness rules that the licensed product does not conform with.
  4. In the event Microsoft makes a determination of non-conformance, a revised licensed product may be resubmitted to Microsoft, with all non-conformance issues resolved for reevaluation. You will be charged U.S. $2,500 for each licensed product that is reevaluated by Microsoft.

Note*: “Major Release” means each version of a licensed product that introduces significant additional features or alters the implementation of the software in a material way (including, but not limited to, a version designated by a change in the first digit to the left of the decimal point, such as version 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0).
70

To develop a PlayReady server application you must execute the following agreements:

  • PlayReady Master Agreement (download sample)
  • PlayReady Server Application Development and Distribution Agreement (download sample)

After these agreements are executed, you may receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • PlayReady Server Software Development Kit
  • PlayReady Server Certificates

Fees

  • $30,000 one-time license fee, due upon agreement execution (waived if paid under the PlayReady Service Deployment License)

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.
81

To deploy your owned/branded PlayReady service to end users, you must execute the following agreements:

  • PlayReady Master Agreement (download sample)
  • PlayReady Service Deployment Agreement (download sample)

After these agreements are executed, you may receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • PlayReady Certificate Generation Kit
  • PlayReady Server Certificates

Fees & Royalties

  • $30,000 one-time license fee due upon agreement execution (waived if paid under the PlayReady Server Application Development and Distribution License)
  • Option 1: A $30,000 per-processor fee for each processor deployed to run the PlayReady license server for company's PlayReady Service. No fee is required for the first processor deployed. Additional processors are reported and paid on a quarterly true-up basis and are valid for the term of the agreement.
  • Option 2: A royalty of U.S. $1 is assessed for every 1,000 licenses successfully issued by the PlayReady Service. Royalties are reported and paid quarterly.

Licensing Process: Please refer to FAQ.
82

Microsoft PlayReady Server technology is also available through a PlayReady Service Provider who can help you develop and deploy your own content access and protection functionality as part of your branded service. This option does not require you to directly license the PlayReady technology from Microsoft; instead, the PlayReady Service Provider will do that on your behalf.

For detailed information on the PlayReady Service Provider program, click here. Please contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com> with additional questions.

90

Microsoft PlayReady Server technology is also available through a PlayReady Service Provider who can help you develop and deploy your own content access and protection functionality as part of your branded service. This option does not require you to directly license the PlayReady technology from Microsoft; instead, the PlayReady Service Provider will do that on your behalf.

For detailed information on the PlayReady Service Provider program, click here. Please contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com> with additional questions.

100

To receive and develop Server Applications and deploy PlayReady Services on behalf of third parties you must execute the PlayReady Application Service Provider Agreement. Under this PlayReady License you are authorized to build a server and run a service for approved brand service providers but not for your own company.

After this agreement is executed, you may receive:

  • PlayReady Documentation Pack
  • PlayReady Server Software Development Kit
  • PlayReady Server Certificates

Please contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com> for more information or to request this license agreement.
110

Please confirm the company is listed here and contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com> for more information.

120

Please contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com>.
130

Please contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com>.
140

Please contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com>.
150

Please contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com>.
160

Please contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com>.
170

Please contact PlayReady Business Development <PlayReady@microsoft.com>.
181

To learn more about becoming a PlayReady Application Service Provider (ASP), please click here.

For more information on Microsoft's participation in and support for international standards for DRM interoperability, see Standards.
182

To learn more about developing and distributing a PlayReady server application and/or deploying a service, please click here.

For more information on Microsoft's participation in and support for international standards for DRM interoperability, see Standards.
183

To learn more about developing or distributing a device, please click here.

For more information on Microsoft's participation in and support for international standards for DRM interoperability, see Standards.
184

To learn more about developing or distributing a device, please click here.

For more information on Microsoft's participation in and support for international standards for DRM interoperability, see Standards.
191

To learn more about becoming a PlayReady Application Service Provider (ASP), please click here.

Microsoft was a founder of the DASH Promoters Group. Microsoft PlayReady's implementation of DASH uses Common Encryption and the Common File Format.

For more information on Microsoft's participation in and support for international standards for DRM interoperability, see Standards.
192

To learn more about developing and distributing a PlayReady server application and/or deploying a service, please click here.

Microsoft was a founder of the DASH Promoters Group. Microsoft PlayReady's implementation of DASH uses Common Encryption and the Common File Format.

For more information on Microsoft's participation in and support for international standards for DRM interoperability, see Standards.
193

To learn more about developing or distributing a device, please click here.

Microsoft was a founder of the DASH Promoters Group. Microsoft PlayReady's implementation of DASH uses Common Encryption and the Common File Format.

For more information on Microsoft's participation in and support for international standards for DRM interoperability, see Standards.
194

To learn more about developing or distributing a device, please click here.

Microsoft was a founder of the DASH Promoters Group. Microsoft PlayReady's implementation of DASH uses Common Encryption and the Common File Format.

For more information on Microsoft's participation in and support for international standards for DRM interoperability, see Standards.