Baseless rumor?

[Jammrock]

My wife claims that she heard on a news program yesterday that M$ was going to start a yearly 'program subscription' renewal policy within the next two years. Possibly with Longhorn?

The basics of it like a pay-to-play game. You buy the OS for $150 at ChumpUSA and that gives you one year of use with the OS. The following year the OS disables itself unless you 'renew' the software and pay say an extra $50 for a new year long license. And so on ...

I have searched and searched all morning for a more official press release or rumor, but have not been able to find anything. I think she may have flipped past TechTV and heard someone talking about the new volume license agreement ... maybe someone commented that M$ would probably start doing the same with consumer products?

Anyone else heard anything about this?

Jammrock

[Ajax]

As if Bill wasn't rich enough? His greed knows no bounds.

[Tjalfe]

when I got my free copy of Office XP from MS, it was a 1 year subscription... so I would not be too surprised if this was the case for more programs in the future..
Is this not changing away from the licence "like a book" where you can only use the software in one location ( like a book) to "like a book that expires"
not a nice move

[Gurm]

I keep hearing this rumor, but seeing no actual verification for it.

MS _does_ have that "action pack" thing which "runs out" after a year, but it doesn't disable itself... you're just honor-bound to uninstall it.

That might be where this originated.

- Gurm

[Jammrock]

I know the new volume license agreement for corporations require a yearly subscription fee. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this holds true to the consumer market with Longhorn or it's successors release.

Jammrock

[Byock]

Agreed, this seems to be the next logical step after product activation. And they wonder why people pirate the OS. If it was a reasonable price. people would buy it.

[agallag]

From http://www.microsoft.com/australia/office/

In May 2001, we introduced Office XP Subscription, a way to license Office on an annual subscription basis. Our recent product evaluations have shown that, while customers do find this model useful, there is confusion around the exact mechanics of this subscription model. On this basis, we are discontinuing the program. To minimise inconvenience, we are offering subscription customers a replacement copy of Office XP (perpetual version) at no additional charge. This version will never expire and is eligible for future product upgrades. For details on obtaining your replacement copy of Office XP, please call 1800 642 008.

[Gurm]

If it's CHEAPER, I'd rather license yearly than pay $500 each time for an upgrade for, say, Office.

- Gurm