Is it possible for AV vendors to change lifetime update policies?

Can they change their lifetime update policies?
If so, what happens to the customers who bought lifetime updates?
Are they just sadly out of luck?

 

I had a lifetime license with Ewido and they decided to merge the Malware Scanner in with their AVG Antivirus product and we with licenses wound up out of luck. I seem to remember they offered us discounts for an AVG license with the new product. This is back when AVG bought out Ewido and they merged. I wasn't a happy camper...

 

Pretty much the same as a person can always change their mind about something.
And if they change their lifetime policy then you are at their mercy.
Life on life's terms.
Hugger

 

Depends on their policy, customer relations, and how their CEOs are feeling.

Norton doesn't offer lifetime policies ...

 

I wonder why.

 

best thing is to avoid life time licences. then you are a worry free person,

 

Usually, the company will outline the terms and conditions of the policy in the EULA. Best to check and read it if you are planning on buying a lifetime license.

 

Amen to this...

 

even if they cancel their lifetime license, then u still get more than your money's worth usually. even if the license that says lifetime only lasts lets say 3 years, it STILL is cheaper than it would have been to buy a license each year for those 3 years.

 

I too was unhappy. And you remembered correctly.

Their unethical behavior is the primary reason I'm no longer using them. We did pay extra for the "lifetime" license.

 

Read the EULA. And companies usually make it public that they are going to paticpate in a merger and usually inform customers.

And make sure you use a company with a good reputation of serving its customers .. I believe that Ewido is automatically blacklisted ..

 

Exactly. It's all about the reputation. For instance, i believe Outpost had originally lifetime licenses. When it turned to 1 year license, they honored the lifetime license of those that had bought them.

On the other hand, if a company decides not to honour the licenses, they will suffer the reputation blow. For sure, those that feel "betrayed" won't buy again from the same company or from the company that is taking over the old one and decided not to honour the lifetime license.

 

Nothing in the EULA about limiting the "lifetime" license.

What does Ewido being blacklisted mean? They were absorbed by AVG and are still active.

 

"Amen to this..."

However mergers can cause problems even what many would consider to be reneging on lifetime commitment. I can certainly understand concerns on mergers. Personally on the few lifetime licenses I have purchased I am way ahead in costs. It has worked well for me.