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Microsoft exploring time-limited licensing



"Under the new plan, companies would continue to contract these agreements for three years, but at the
end of the period they would either have to pay again or stop using the software. The change would
move Microsoft software buyers from a "perpetual" license to one that is fixed for a period of time."

http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-5851009.html

The story points out that this may not effect smaller customers, and the extent of the trend is not
yet clear.  But this more active approach to planned obsolescence (rather than the somewhat more
passive approach of waiting for you to buy the upgrade) is something to be aware of.
Ultimately, their goal is to lock us into the purchase of their software.  If customers are reluctant
to upgrade on their own, time-limited licensing can provide a financial incentive for them to do so.

=========================================================
 Cal Lee
 University of Michigan
 School of Information
 Phone: 734-647-0505
 http://www-personal.si.umich.edu/~calz/
 "How can I know what I think because I forgot what I said?"
                                         - Karl Weick, 1979

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