Are the beancounters trying to stop free updates?

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 23 January 2007 11:30

IT Industry - Strategy

I think we're going to start seeing software being sold with disclaimers along the lines of "The licenser may choose to offer updated versions of this software that implement additional features or functions, but is under no obligation to do so, and may at its discretion make those updated versions available to existing licensees free of charge or on payment of an additional fee." The lawyers will probably frame it differently, but you get the idea.

In the case of betas that are sold with the right to copies of the finished products, it seems that the companies concerned will have to defer the recognition of (at least part of) the revenue until they ship Version 1.0.

But I can see no reason why the established practice of providing free point upgrades should come to a end.