MapQuest Rolls out New API with Licensing Choices

MapQuest released latest version of the API - Advantage API 5.0. Some key things regarding licensing that were not mentioned in the press release that need to be highlighted: Mapquest is rebuilding all APIs on API 5.0; a transition of their open API to this new architecture which in turn proposes options for three types of licensing:

1. A classic licensing model that is monetized through licensing fees
2. Licenses to support commercial users of mapping technology in a different way for simple implementations – Mapquest is looking into how to change the licensing maybe even as a free service to accommodate users who generate their own code through a widget or a map with a defined set of parameters.
3. Licensing the API to allow users that want to embed it into applications; MapQuest wants to offer this option will encourage partnering.