Final Cut Pro Trademark Update Suggests Apple Eyeing Future Subscription Model

[MacRumors]

Apple has amended its trademark for Final Cut Pro, its professional high-end video editing software, in a way that suggests it could be planning to turn the now one-time payment model for the software into a subscription.

As reported by Patently Apple, on Monday, Apple added a Nice Classification #42 listing to its Final Cut Pro trademark in Europe. The Class 42 identification is listed as including software as a service (SaaS), or a platform as a service (PaaS). For context, Microsoft Office 365, which is based on a monthly or yearly subscription, includes the same Class 42 listing for its suite of software.

Final Cut Pro is currently sold for $300 and is used widely by professional videographers, YouTubers, and content makers. Potentially changing the price and payment model into a monthly, or yearly subscription could entice even more customers to use the software. If Apple is planning the subscription route, it'll likely include more than simply the software itself.

With a subscription, Apple theoretically could offer subscribers access to original content, such as in-depth tutorials, walkthroughs, or exclusive videos/sessions with prominent video makers who use Final Cut Pro as part of their workflow.

Whether Apple takes the route is unknown, however, the pure nature of the updated trademark is rather telling. Apple over the years has launched a number of new services, the most recent being Apple Fitness+. The momentum is not slowing down, however. Apple is reportedly eyeing to launch a new podcast subscription service that would offer listeners exclusive and original content.

Article Link: Final Cut Pro Trademark Update Suggests Apple Eyeing Future Subscription Model

 

[jetjaguar]

No thanks

 

[opeter]

Money, money, money... Must be funny... In the rich man's world.

 

[Michael Scrip]

I guess even Apple doesn't believe in the "pay for the software once... use it for the rest of your life" model.

 

[fumi2014]

I can totally see this happening. Apple knows services are where the money is now. Look at Adobe.

 

[danistyping]

uh no thanks. And please don't do this with logic pro. I would have to switch to a different DAW. I absolutely despise subscriptions.

 

[saudor]

Subscription is one of those things that once you taste it, you can never go back. It's a never ending gold mine for $$$. Won't be long until we need subscriptions for breathing oxygen

 

[iamgalt]

Well, this will be a big push towards Linux and the free video editing software available; for me at least. I was really hoping Apple would stay away from this.

 

[Chicane-UK]

Potentially changing the price and payment model into a monthly, or yearly subscription could entice even more customers to use the software.

Subscription is only vaguely appealing for those who only occasionally dabble with the software and can just sign up or cancel as they see fit for projects. Otherwise it's purely a cash grab.

 

[dapa0s]

Extremely shortsighted if they actually do it. They will face a lot of backlash. It‘s stupid to ONLY chase money and be this greedy, they should keep the buy-to-own experience they have with their software now.

Maybe if they let a subscription option, that would be ok, I guess..

 

[djcerla]

It’s already a subscription.

Go FCP, buy new Macs forever.

 

[Populus]

I hate subscriptions.

I can access FCP with a special discount, with the pack for students (which include Logic Pro as well). But still, it’s 200$.

Do you think I should buy the software before it turns into a subscription model? Will that version of FCP be outdated as soon as this releases? Or will be the same version, keeping it updated?

 

[cosmichobo]

Subscription is one of those things that once you taste it, you can never go back. It's a never ending gold mine for $$$. Won't be long until we need subscriptions for breathing oxygen

Doctor Who - Oxygen: In the far future - you have to pay for every breath...

I love how the writer of the above article makes it sound like Apple is doing everyone a favour by changing to a subscription service.

 

[yurc]

Aside that, I am wondering why software subscription article placed under political news

 

[nwcs]

I personally detest most subscription software but you can’t deny the reality of it or the profitability. If you look at Adobe, they have had nothing but ever increasing profitability since moving to that model in spite of the hobbyist community, and some pros, bitterly complaining. Perhaps Apple will offer the sensible alternative and have either subscription or perpetual options.

 

[joshwenke]

I will be furious if they remove the "one-time purchase" ability. Fine if they add new content as an extra cost, but do NOT take away my software.

 

[bronksy]

If this provokes faster updates and more features then I'm all for it. I think a £300 value has been great for the last however many years.. but I am not bothered about paying for something that is a critical business tool that would give me more features/stability ultimately leading to more profitability.

 

[arvinsim]

Glad that I went with DaVinci Resolve.

 

[MacGizmo]

And the landslide of predictable comments begins...

 

[edk99]

Subscription is one of those things that once you taste it, you can never go back. It's a never ending gold mine for $$$. Won't be long until we need subscriptions for breathing oxygen

We already have one. Its called paying taxes.

 

[Moonjumper]

Well, this will be a big push towards Linux and the free video editing software available; for me at least. I was really hoping Apple would stay away from this.

There is free video editing software on macOS, no need to go to Linux. I use DaVinci Resolve.

 

[TarJac333]

They're going the same path of Adobe.
Oh, such sadness.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Subscription is only vaguely appealing for those who only occasionally dabble with the software and can just sign up or cancel as they see fit for projects. Otherwise it's purely a cash grab.

Look around. That's not how software subscriptions typically work. Both Adobe and MS may allow you to pay monthly, but you are in an annual contract. Cancel part way through, and you owe them the difference. Definitely not for the "Dabblers".

 

[Mr. Dee]

Apple at the end of the day Apple is a big ol business. As part of their responsibility to shareholders they must look for new areas of growth. I am sure the company is watching as other companies are raking in billions after moving to subscription models: Adobe, Microsoft, AutoDesk.
Hopefully they take a graceful approach to it and offer perpetual licenses alongside the subscription.

The days of owning your software are slowly going in the rear view mirror. But for Apple, I am sure this money being left on the table especially with the large YouTube base.

I guess the benefit is it will likely be cheaper than Adobe’s. But will seen by many as the biggest bait and switch.

my fear is this becomes a wider trend. What’s to say if the company makes macOS and iWork also subscription software too, requiring that you pay keep your Mac updated?

 

[AttoA]

Look around. That's not how software subscriptions typically work. Both Adobe and MS may allow you to pay monthly, but you are in an annual contract. Cancel part way through, and you owe them the difference. Definitely not for the "Dabblers".

Both have an option to pay (somewhat more) monthly, with the ability to cancel at any time (you still have to pay for the month you're in, of course).