Starting October 1st, “domain name renewals” service – part Microsoft’s free “website, domain-name and web-hosting services for small businesses (Office Live Small Business (OLSB))” will become paid. In this regard, Microsoft sent email to their customers notifying: “We wanted to inform you of a policy change to your domain service. As of October 1, 2009, we will no longer offer free domain name renewals. When your custom domain, XXXX.com, comes up for renewal, you will need to pay the annual renewal fee of *$14.95* by your expiration date of xxxx[...] […]If you choose not to pay the renewal fee, your domain name will automatically expire and all associated e-mail addresses will be discontinued. Your Web site will remain active, but will be available at a Web address such as http://yourname.web.officelive.com”. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed this.

More info: OLSB