Exactly. I don't think I ever bought any software expecting to get updates for free. Bug fixes, if they break original functionality, yes, but not new versions that contain new features.
Getting updates and new features has traditionally been a perk of renting, and being able to continually use that software anyway you see fit 50 years down the road, on an ancient computer or in a VM is a perk of buying. Both have their merits.
I often see "free upgrades" thrown on top as bonus for buyers, especially by new software developers that really want to sell their software. I'd argue the customer's decision is not swayed by much either way free upgrades, but devs are putting a huge burden on themselves. What if sales go down for a year? You may prefer to explore making some other software instead, but now you have an obligation to offer free support to customers that bought your software 5+ years ago. That wouldn't work in any other industry. Try calling a plumber or an electrician that worked on your house 5 years later and ask them to fix problems for free... see how happy they will be to oblige :-)
Getting updates and new features has traditionally been a perk of renting, and being able to continually use that software anyway you see fit 50 years down the road, on an ancient computer or in a VM is a perk of buying. Both have their merits.
I often see "free upgrades" thrown on top as bonus for buyers, especially by new software developers that really want to sell their software. I'd argue the customer's decision is not swayed by much either way free upgrades, but devs are putting a huge burden on themselves. What if sales go down for a year? You may prefer to explore making some other software instead, but now you have an obligation to offer free support to customers that bought your software 5+ years ago. That wouldn't work in any other industry. Try calling a plumber or an electrician that worked on your house 5 years later and ask them to fix problems for free... see how happy they will be to oblige :-)