Marcus Curtis
 It seems obvious to me that this is not a subscription. When I was looking at the pricing section I noticed that you get a licence. Subscriptions don't offer you a licence. This seems more like a payment plan and now when you buy Sonar you become a member of some sort of cakewalk support community. 

 
Actually, whatever you call it, rental, subscription, installment sale, you get a license. Software is primarily protected under copyright, and if someone gives you the permission to download a copy onto your computer, that is a license in itself. Most software never becomes property of the purchaser, the way a book would, because most vendor's EULA specifically says that all you are buying is a license to copy and use the software under the restrictions of the license. The difference is not in the nature of the license that you get when you pay for a month, but for the duration for which the license is valid. The monthly payment gets you a license for a month, after the full payment is received you get a perpetual license, which does not expire after any set time. The granting of a perpetual license is as close as you will probably get to ownership of software these days, at least in the US. But one of the usual characteristics of ownership is the ability to sell or give the property to someone else. I have not seen the license for the new Sonar, but I expect that, like the X3 and all prior licenses, it is not transferable. In that sense you will never fully own either the software or the license.
 

slartabartfast

Marcus Curtis
 It seems obvious to me that this is not a subscription. When I was looking at the pricing section I noticed that you get a licence. Subscriptions don't offer you a licence. This seems more like a payment plan and now when you buy Sonar you become a member of some sort of cakewalk support community. 

 
Actually, whatever you call it, rental, subscription, installment sale, you get a license. Software is primarily protected under copyright, and if someone gives you the permission to download a copy onto your computer, that is a license in itself. Most software never becomes property of the purchaser, the way a book would, because most vendor's EULA specifically says that all you are buying is a license to copy and use the software under the restrictions of the license. The difference is not in the nature of the license that you get when you pay for a month, but for the duration for which the license is valid. The monthly payment gets you a license for a month, after the full payment is received you get a perpetual license, which does not expire after any set time. The granting of a perpetual license is as close as you will probably get to ownership of software these days, at least in the US. But one of the usual characteristics of ownership is the ability to sell or give the property to someone else. I have not seen the license for the new Sonar, but I expect that, like the X3 and all prior licenses, it is not transferable. In that sense you will never fully own either the software or the license.
 

I never implied that I owned the software. I said you get a licence. I know all the legal terms associated with software and licences. perpetual licence is implied in my statement. I made a mistake and signed up for the adobe subscription. I canceled the subscription soon after that. I am well aware that a person never owns the software. And I know the legal terms involved with a licence. Even if some software is freeware vendors tend to retain ownership. There are restrictions with it. Let's be clear here. It was never my intent to say that people who don't purchase subscriptions own the software.
 
A software subscription is understood by most people to mean you make monthly payments for as long as you use the software. Once you stop paying your monthly fee you stop accessing the software. (Adobe's model for example)
 
So no don't call it a subscription. That is the point of this thread and that is why people are getting hung up. They immediately think of Adobe's licence and model or Microsoft's licence and model 
 
I think we are splitting hairs here and I have seen this same point argued on many other threads. In my opinion, I think that is one of the reasons why this even became an issue and it detracts from my main point which is this. According to the licence I receive when I make my lump payment my ability to use the software will not end after 12 months. This is were people are getting hung up. Arguing the merits of licences and copyright laws only serves to add to the confusion.
 
While I don't disagree with you your reply, you seemed to entirely miss the point I made. 

Seth Kellogg [Cakewalk]

bluzdog
I agree that the plan works well for most and I'm just playing devil's advocate here: Let's say Joe starving musician wants to start recording his band. He is pretty broke but his day job provides enough income for the monthly plan at $50/m. Joe gets through the first 11 months of membership but is then layed off from his day job and can't pony up the last $50 for ownership. He has 11 months of projects in the works and has spent $550 but is completely hosed under this system. Just a little food for thought.
 
Rocky

I think if Joe Sixpack here reached out to us in a polite manner and described the reality of his current situation, there could be some sort of accommodation or adjustment of his terms. We're not here to kick people when they are down.

Thank you for that Seth. Life happens and this new time in SONAR does not make us immune to it. If Joe SixPack needed $50.00 to make payment number 12 we would not need Cakewalk to get involved, the good people on the Forum would be willing to help. I know I would. Let's hear from the people who would not be willing to PayPal Joe $3.00 or more.

Hello,
I have just discovered why all the confusion is around this Membership issues...
Right now all roads here lead you to the BIG pitch ie. Sonar, Sonar Family and so one... 
I was looking for system requirements, and I know I saw them... Still cant find them but I did discover something else...
Depending on how you find yourself at the New Sonar ad... You don't get all the information about the membership...
 
Drop down menu to "Sonar Family" does NOT show Membership description... you have to click on a menu option at the top.
I for one never look up once I'm in a page.. I'm use to links being with in the document. Old Dog thing...
 
and yet you can see the info ON the other pages...

bumping 

slartabartfast

Marcus Curtis
 It seems obvious to me that this is not a subscription. When I was looking at the pricing section I noticed that you get a licence. Subscriptions don't offer you a licence. This seems more like a payment plan and now when you buy Sonar you become a member of some sort of cakewalk support community. 

 
Actually, whatever you call it, rental, subscription, installment sale, you get a license. Software is primarily protected under copyright, and if someone gives you the permission to download a copy onto your computer, that is a license in itself. Most software never becomes property of the purchaser, the way a book would, because most vendor's EULA specifically says that all you are buying is a license to copy and use the software under the restrictions of the license. The difference is not in the nature of the license that you get when you pay for a month, but for the duration for which the license is valid. The monthly payment gets you a license for a month, after the full payment is received you get a perpetual license, which does not expire after any set time. The granting of a perpetual license is as close as you will probably get to ownership of software these days, at least in the US. But one of the usual characteristics of ownership is the ability to sell or give the property to someone else. I have not seen the license for the new Sonar, but I expect that, like the X3 and all prior licenses, it is not transferable. In that sense you will never fully own either the software or the license.
 

Normally what one calls something isn't important. Here it is very important. Cakewalk is not, I repeat, not offering a subscription. You do not subscribe to anything. You are made a member only and there are no dues to pay. You buy the program and its yours just like in all the previous versions. The differences from the past is being a member gives you access to all new updates for the coming year and addons CW comes up with.  
 
 
That is it in a nutshell!! 

You guys can try to redefine all you want, in the meantime the current definition is as follows...
 
-merriam-webster.com

sub·scrip·tion

 noun \səb-ˈskrip-shən\
: an agreement that you make with a company to get a publication or service regularly and that you usually pay for in advance
: a fee that you pay regularly to belong to or support an organization

 

Full Definition of SUBSCRIPTION 
1 a :  the act of signing one's name (as in attesting or witnessing a document)
 
b :  the acceptance (as of ecclesiastical articles of faith) attested by the signing of one's name

 
2:  something that is subscribed: as
 
a :  an autograph signature; also :  a paper to which a signature is attached 
b :  a sum subscribed or pledged

 
3 :  an arrangement for providing, receiving, or making use of something of a continuing or periodic nature on a prepayment plan: as
 
a :  a purchase by prepayment for a certain number of issues (as of a periodical) 
b :  application to purchase securities of a new issue 
c :  a method of offering or presenting a series of public performances 
d British :  membership dues

Sweet Tooth
You guys can try to redefine all you want, in the meantime the current definition is as follows...
 
-merriam-webster.com

sub·scrip·tion

 noun \səb-ˈskrip-shən\
: an agreement that you make with a company to get a publication or service regularly and that you usually pay for in advance
: a fee that you pay regularly to belong to or support an organization


Full Definition of SUBSCRIPTION
 
1 a :  the act of signing one's name (as in attesting or witnessing a document)

b :  the acceptance (as of ecclesiastical articles of faith) attested by the signing of one's name


2:  something that is subscribed: as

a :  an autograph signature; also :  a paper to which a signature is attached 
b :  a sum subscribed or pledged


3 :  an arrangement for providing, receiving, or making use of something of a continuing or periodic nature on a prepayment plan: as

a :  a purchase by prepayment for a certain number of issues (as of a periodical) 
b :  application to purchase securities of a new issue 
c :  a method of offering or presenting a series of public performances 
d British :  membership dues

That is as I have said.  

Yes, so when I stop payment on my fourth month my subscription (membership) ends.

Sweet Tooth
Yes, so when I stop payment on my fourth month my subscription (membership) ends.

No they reposes it until you pay the balance. Just like any other credit contract. If you pay the full amount its yours forever. A subscription never ends. You never own the product.  When you bought Sonar before you did the exact same thing. Now CW is simply allowing you to choose a monthly payment plan if you can't come up with the $149.
 
This is not hard to understand.  Unless you don't want to understand.