This corporate scam started with computer software over a decade back. Nobody/few complained. Soon it will likely IMO "infect" even say your washing machine, as it builds a life long income stream, and kills new innovation and market place improvement. It can be regulated/outlawed, if the will exists.
Corps are moving their products over to the 'xxx as a service' business model and recurring charging you for said service. Virtually every type of software and even operating systems. This has been the wet dream of every MBA to be able to control their product through its entire life cycle - right up to the point of disposal. Never was logistically possible before the Internet became wide spread and legislation like the DMCA became law.
