Why I have to renew my subscription ? I'm Self-Hosted

[HakanYagiz]

Hello, I understand that I need to renew my subscription to receive IPB updates or to continue enjoying some IPB privileges.

But if I am happy with the current IPB version and want to continue without updating, then you should allow it. I'm Self-Hosted IPB user.

However, if I do not extend my ipb subscription, I cannot access the support community, use downloads, use commerce, cannot purchase new plugins, and most importantly, cannot download and use plugins that I have already purchased.

I am still an IPB user. I bought it and currently don't need IPB updates. However, I can not access to add-ons that I have purchased in the market area. Or I am restricted from purchasing a theme or plugin that I like in the market.

I think there is something wrong here. The fact that I am not extending my IPB subscription "for now" does not require me to be restricted from all areas of IPB. You can deprive me of IPB updates if I don't extend my IPB subscription. But you shouldn't act as if I never bought IPB. Because I am still an IPB user and I have the right to access many content that I purchased from the market area.

This also hurts plugin developers. Because I have to extend my IPB subscription to be able to purchase an add-on right now, so I cannot purchase that add-on or themes.

I already pay a fee using my own host and domain. I don't find it right to have to pay a large amount of money to IPB every 6 months because I don't use a host from IPB. If you want users to renew their subscriptions, you can make updates that every user will definitely want to receive. However, it is not right to force your self-host users to constantly pay to take advantage of IPB.

I urge you to reconsider this stance. It is not right for an IPB user to have to renew their subscription, otherwise be restricted as if they had never purchased.

I also ask you to consider my views as a suggestion written in a respectful manner.
Thank you.

Edited January 16 by HakanYagiz

[Randy Calvert]

You knew the terms before you bought the software. Features such as marketplace, spam prevention, etc are not provided to inactive licenses. The code you had through your active license period continues to work as-is including plugins. 

There are other software companies that actually not allow you to even run the software at all if a license expires. 

[HakanYagiz]

2 hours ago, Randy Calvert said:

You knew the terms before you bought the software. Features such as marketplace, spam prevention, etc are not provided to inactive licenses. The code you had through your active license period continues to work as-is including plugins. 

There are other software companies that actually not allow you to even run the software at all if a license expires. 

Actually I didn't know the terms before bought. But if I had know I would have bought it anyway, and I would state my ideas that I thought would make more sense, as I do now.

I don't think marketplace usage and IPB subscription should be linked. I think it is enough to have an ipb license to use Marketplace.

I think that would be best for everyone. Marketplace purchases may increase and IPB may continue to monetize from there. Users can purchase products from the marketplace without having to renew existing ipb versions.

Or, more than one option can be produced for renew. Currently there is only 1 option and this option is ipb updates, marketplace, support etc. contains all. Maybe more than one option would be more useful.

Thanks for your participation.