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Ask HN: Software Licenses Confusion

2 pointsby anon-guyabout 3 years ago
Is it within a company’s rights to sell a non-consumable product, let’s say “Access all of software for X cost”, then within a year or two, turn around and say “Access all of software for X cost with subscription but folks who purchased all software before without subscription now lose access”?<p>Based off my little knowledge of software licensing, that seems like it’s legal and allowable. So, a company can give a sale to allow access to software with a single purchase, then randomly revoke access and then request you to pay again to access the same stuff you previously thought you bought and had access to?

2 comments

Flankkabout 3 years ago
You don&#x27;t sell software you sell software licenses. Details on how licenses can be revoked would be outlined in the EULA. Hypothetically you could do that but you wouldn&#x27;t in practice. Customers don&#x27;t tend to enjoy bait and switch tactics. Companies that switch to a subscription model typically issue a new version without revoking any licenses.
brudgersabout 3 years ago
If it matters, hire a lawyer.<p>That&#x27;s how contracts work.<p>If that sounds expensive, it is.<p>Just because you came to the table with the short stack, doesn&#x27;t change anything.<p>That&#x27;s the way contracts work.<p>Or to put it another way, if you&#x27;re pointing to the contract, it usually means the personal relationship is f&#x27;d.<p>And it is time to lawyer up.<p>Or put up with it.<p>Or walk away.<p>Good luck.