Licensing Microsoft® PlayReady® Server Technology
Microsoft PlayReady Server technology is made available to licensees under two distinct license agreements: one for developing PlayReady Server Applications and another for deploying a PlayReady Service.
| • | For independent software vendors (ISVs), network operators, or content service providers who require the PlayReady Server Software Development Kit (SDK) to develop PlayReady Server Applications, a PlayReady Server Application Development and Distribution License should be executed. |
| • | For network operators or content service providers seeking to deploy a PlayReady Service, a PlayReady Service Deployment License should be executed. |
For detailed licensing information, including the steps on how to acquire a license, see the following sites:
| • | PlayReady Server Application Development and Distribution License |
| • |
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:
PlayReady Server Application Development and Distribution License
Under this license, Microsoft offers a PlayReady Server SDK and the necessary intellectual property rights to develop and distribute Server Applications to other PlayReady Server licensees.
Note: To deploy a PlayReady Service, you must execute the PlayReady Service Deployment License.
The PlayReady Server SDK includes:
| • | Specifications and associated documentation and libraries in object code form. |
| • | Media, printed materials, and online documentation. |
Minimum system requirements:
| • | PlayReady Server SDK requires Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows Server 2008 (x64 only). |
| • | You can review the minimum and recommended system requirements to run versions of the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system on the Windows Server 2003 System Requirements page here. You can review the minimum and recommended system requirements to run versions of the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 operating system on the Windows Server 2008 System Requirements page here. |
| • | PlayReady Server SDK requires Internet Information Services (IIS) version 6.0 and Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0 when deploying on Windows Server 2003 and Internet Information Services (IIS) version 7.0 and Microsoft .NET Framework Version 3.0 when deploying on Windows Server 2008. You can review the Microsoft .NET Framework documentation here. PlayReady Server SDK requires Desktop Experience feature when deploying on Windows Server 2008. Here is a link on Microsoft Help and Support. |
Fee structure:
| • | A U.S. $30,000 one-time license fee provides access to the PlayReady Server SDK. This fee must be paid within 45 days of invoice upon license execution and before the SDK can be received. |
Sample license agreements (click to download):
| • | PlayReady Master Agreement (required for all PlayReady server and device agreements) |
| • | PlayReady Server Application Development and Distribution License |
Steps to license
To complete the PlayReady Server Application Development and Distribution License:
1. | Review the information above to ensure that you are selecting the appropriate license. Note If you have not yet executed a PlayReady Master Agreement, you must execute that agreement simultaneously with your PlayReady Server Application Development and Distribution License. |
2. | Complete the License Request Form and request the PlayReady Server SDK Application. Microsoft sends you an e-mail message that contains a license application form. |
3. | Complete the license application form, and then return it to Microsoft. Microsoft creates a draft of the license agreements by using the information that you provided and sends you the drafts in e-mail. |
4. | Review this draft for accuracy, reporting any errors to Microsoft. |
5. | If the agreement is satisfactory, reply to the email confirming your acceptance of the terms and conditions of the agreement. Microsoft will send you the executable original license agreements that require your signature. You should receive these agreements within 6 to 10 business days. |
6. | Sign these original license agreements, and then return them to Microsoft. After Microsoft receives your signed copies and finalizes the agreements, you are invoiced for the U.S. $30,000 license fee. After this fee is paid, you will receive instructions for obtaining the Microsoft PlayReady Server SDK. |
PlayReady Service Deployment License
Under this license, Microsoft offers the intellectual property rights necessary for receiving server applications from other PlayReady Server licensees and provides the license rights to deploy a PlayReady Service to end users. If you intend to develop server applications, you will need to obtain a PlayReady Server Application Development and Distribution License.
The licensed deliverables include:
| • | The PlayReady Documentation Pack with specifications and associated documentation. |
| • | Certificate request tools. |
Fee structure:
Licensees can choose between two distinct royalty models to best suit their business needs.
A U.S. $30,000 license fee must be paid within 45 days of invoice of license execution. This fee is required for all licensees, regardless of the royalty model chosen below. The fee will be waived, however, if the company has already executed the PlayReady Server Application Development and Distribution License. You have your choice of two payment options:
| • | Option 1—Per-Processor Model: A U.S. $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—Per-Issued License Model: 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. |
Note: The company that owns and operates the Service brand must execute the PlayReady Service Deployment License.
Sample License Agreements (click to download)
| • | PlayReady Master Agreement (required for all PlayReady server and device agreements) |
| • |
Steps to License
To complete the PlayReady Service Deployment License, please follow these steps:
1. | Review the information above to ensure that you are selecting the appropriate license. Note that if you have not yet executed a PlayReady Master Agreement, you must execute one simultaneously with your PlayReady Service Deployment License. |
2. | Complete the License Request Form and ask for the PlayReady Server SDK Application. Microsoft sends you an e-mail message that contains a license application form. |
3. | Complete the license application form, and then return it to Microsoft. Microsoft creates a draft of the license agreement by using the information that you provided, and then sends you the draft in e-mail. |
4. | Review this draft for accuracy, reporting any errors to Microsoft. |
5. | If the agreement is satisfactory, reply to the email confirming your acceptance of the terms and conditions of the agreement. Microsoft sends you executable original license agreements for your signature. You should receive these agreements within 6 to 10 business days. |
6. | Sign these original license agreements, and then return them to Microsoft. After Microsoft receives your signed copies and finalizes the agreement, you are invoiced for any applicable license fees. After these fees are paid, you will receive instructions for obtaining the applicable server certificates. |