http://www.slatedigital.com/mixmaster.php

I can only imagine the mess when every manufacturer finally start offering subscription only... Another good reason to shy away from 3rd party developers.

BUt unlike CW, you do NOT own the software after a year or set time limit, apparently, the plugs only stay active as long as you "subscribe" 

Apparently this only applies to the Mix/Master subscription, so it's 'optional' for those who wish to go that route...
 
"Now, if you own Slate Digital plugins, do not fear. We're not going to penalize you or stop supporting you, and you can still purchase any new plugins you want as you normally do, and you'll be completely unaffected. We are not getting rid of perpetual licenses. But for Slate Digital customers who want access to more amazing tools on their terms and at a price that they can easily justify, the Mix/Master or the Mix/Master/FX bundle is for you. And to help you get started, if you sign up for the subscription within 30 days of its release, you'll get credited for free months depending on the amount of Slate Digital plugins you have!"
 
"With the Mix/Master Subscription, you can use your plugins when you want. And if you go away for a bit or take some time off from the studio, pause your subscription and save some money. There's no penalty, and you have complete freedom. Reactivating is easy."
 
 
"And with the ilok you can take your subscription anywhere.. you can use your Mix/Master bundle at any studio in the world."

I see this as a good deal for those who work on mixing projects only occasionally.  Helps Slate's cash flow, too. 
 
Another interesting announcement was the availability of the Relab LX480 reverb plugin in the upgraded Slate subscription.  I'm assuming that means you'll go to Slate for support now, instead of the resource-limited shop that is Relab.  That'll be a good thing, I'm sure. 
 
Subscriptions will only become more common in the future, as developers look for ways to reduce piracy and improve cash flow. 
 
Cheers,
Eddie
 

Eddie got his crystal ball tuned in right.
 
This will be unfortunately the wave of the future, with renegades like Valhalla, Reaper, Klaghelm and others bucking the new norm.
 
More and more developers will go to a subscription model. Yearly renewal fees, and you don't have a single file of software you can call your own. Computer will have to be internet connected for you to use a virtual license, subject to the whims of something outside your control. Have experienced multiple criminal crash and burns in my digital life. Extortion on the part of an immoral company changing the rules after you have paid hard earned money to use the license "in perpetuity".
 
All I can do is support the little guys that sell you a product you like and give you a serial number to activate.
 
John

JohnKenn
Eddie got his crystal ball tuned in right.
 
Have experienced multiple criminal crash and burns in my digital life. Extortion on the part of an immoral company changing the rules after you have paid hard earned money to use the license "in perpetuity".
 
John

Is this even legal or possible? I don't think so. If i've already paid in full for a product and now own the license to use it, how can a company then say you no longer own the product and now you have to pay an on-going fee to keep using it? Doesn't make sense; that's seems to me like the original purchase has been negated and they've stolen your money. Is this legal for them to do that? Slate doesn't have an issue with piracy because he has iLok connected to his products, so no issue there i would have thought.
 

Don't panic, guys ... anyone who's already bought Slate's stuff can keep it.  The subscription is just a new option.  See the last paragraph on the page linked above.
 
Cheers,
Eddie
 

Drone,
 
The rejection scenario is real if you have someone else controlling your license.
 
Have lost a couple hundred dollars, bait and switch. Doesn't drive me into bankruptcy, but leaves a bad taste after you are screwed by the fine print.
 
Beating a dead horse, but real time examples.
 
Voyetra, still in business. Paid full price for Midi Orchestrator and the full DAW version.
 
Website claim that the bastards are protecting me from data loss, so no new activations will be authorized. Authorization center is shut down for my wellbeing.
 
Waves shut down my GTO authorization. Said they won't invade and disable my existing version, but they decided to cut any further activations. They feel your pain and are ready to fix the problem if your credit card is ready to pay for the extortion.
 
Fuk' em. This is why I have everything requiring a convoluted online call response backed up with a solid warez crack.
 
John

What they are looking at is a regular Monthly income to support themselves...
rather then an unknown variable of sales monthly or annually...

While it, on the surface, seems like a good idea...it's not...as it will give them
"false" flags of income...which will, in the long run, do more harm then good...