M981112 Annual Fee for Windows? </head> <body background='../images/bkg24.gif' bgcolor=#FFF6FF><hr size=5 noshade> <h2><img src='../images/win06.gif' align=left hspace=20> Annual Fee for Windows?</h2> <font size=+1>Microsoft has long wanted to stop selling software licenses and start leasing so they don't have to keep coming up with updates.</font> <br clear=left><br> <table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=10> <tr valign=top> <td bgcolor=#D9E5F9><center> <strong> <a href='../index.html#top'><img src="../images/b03home.gif" alt="Home" border=0></a><br>Home<p> <a href='../news/nznews.html'><img src="../images/b03news.gif" alt="News" border=0></a><br>News<p> <a href='../topics/topics.html'><img src="../images/b03top.gif" alt="Topic" border=0></a><br>Topics<p> <a href='../aaxsrv.html'><img src='../images/b03aax.gif' alt="AAx" border=0></a><br>AAx<p> </strong> </td><td> An internal document released by the Justice Department shows Microsoft is contemplating establishing an annual fee charged to all users of Windows. This would free Microsoft from the expense of "improving" Windows and getting people to purchase "upgrades" to generate revenue. Expiration code would need to be added to Windows (if it isn't already there, just disabled). <p>This is not a new concept for Microsoft. At the time of Windows95's release Microsoft officials admitted they intended to charge an annual "subscription fee" for all their applications. Unfortunately for this plan, adoption of Windows95 was slower than expected and competitors regrouped, denying Microsoft the monopoly they needed to institute the plan. It is, however, still their long range intent, and they are fast approaching the required monopoly status. </table> <p>©:<cite>Andrew Grygus</cite> - Automation Access - www.aaxnet.com - aax@aaxnet.com<br><font size=-2> All linked pages are copyright © the original creator.<br> <style>  </style> <a href="http://www.vel.net" target="_blank" class="toplink">Velocity Networks:</a> <a href="http://www.vel.net/network-consulting-service.cfm" target="_blank" class="toplink">Network Consulting Service</a> - <a href="http://www.clubnet.net" target="_blank" class="toplink">Internet Service Provider</a> - <a href="http://www.vel.net/coldfusion-web-development.cfm" target="_blank" class="toplink">Web Page Design and Hosting</a> <br> All trademarks and trade names are recognized as property of their owners </font><hr size=5 noshade></body></html>