In what could end up being a great countermove to Google Base, Yahoo has opened up its shopping API for commercial use, and is testing out a program that allows users of the API to monetize its use via affiliate programs. From the Yahoo Search Blog:

Yahoo! is now accepting applications for a commercial version of our Shopping APIs featuring product search, price comparison, ratings & reviews, and shopping browse. The program, which is now in limited beta, is similar to an affiliate model in that it enables websites to share in income generated from providing shopping search and other services powered by Yahoo! Shopping on their sites. Whether you are building a local shopping mash-up, a next generation social commerce destination, or you simply want to integrate shopping comparison features into your content site, this program is a first major step in providing you with tools to help you generate revenue.

Note the evolution of APIs: first you had to pay to use them; then they started becoming free; now you get paid to use them. Consider it proof of the ideavirus economy: spreading your ideas is what the game is about, so charging for it is simply not to your advantage.

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