SlySoft announces new update policy

First DVDFab now SlySoft.

This website seems to be the mouthpiece of Slysoft, and as such, Slysoft can do no wrong.

Seriously, Slysoft charge a pretty high amount already for there products, and raised the prices considerably 6 months ago (using the excuse of the weak dollar), by over 30% if memory serves.

So in one year, they have hiked the prices, and now they are going back on their lifetime updates policy, in favour of a 1 year subscription model. I mean, how much longer will this company exist for? Hollywood will eventually go after them, and take them out. I suppose they better make the big bucks while they can!

Subscription policy sucks! No good products came from this, see Vista.

They offer a free 21 day evaluation period so you can make up your own mind. I think its a great product. And if are considering buying this product , read the last paragraph of the statement, you can still buy it with free lifetime updates for 20% off, this will not start until after the Christmas promotion, if I read it correctly.

"I mean, how much longer will this company exist for? Hollywood will eventually go after them, and take them out. "

They can't go after them they are in Antigua. These guys had to flee their homeland to continue fighting DRM. Cut 'em some slack. They have the talent to be doing something else, but they choose to provide this product instead. I guess if we want it we have to pay for it.

Well this blows. I was planning to upgrade my Anydvd to HD hopefully in the near future when I actually got ahold of a Bluray drive and HD TV but have no need for it now. Sigh, oh well...

Well, you dont get lifetime updates with AntiVirus software and most programs stop updating when they step up to a newer version.. This was bound to happen since there is no revenue from those that already own the software..

What they should offer the customer to compensate for this is to lower the prices by half..

If their products weren't that expensive I would consider buying them. This decision makes it even more expensive so I don’t expect that I will ever buy any of their products.

Remember folks this doesn't take effect till after this year is over. So if you buy now you will not fall under paying anuall fees but purchases after this year you will from what I hear.

I just wanted to state that I think the guys over at Slysoft are doing an amazing job against the cancer that is DRM, but I do not agree with the heavy handed greed policy they seem to have adopted a year ago.

It costs money to continue to make changes to the product as they do. As long as the yearly fee is not significant than I think that it is fair. To pay $40-50 dollars for a lifetime of programing is a bit much. Sell the product for $20 a year.

They could also offer a discounted version with a limit on free updates, then a more expensive version for a longer update sub or lifetime updates. At least I got mine during the free lifetime updates.

Another problem this could create is if the credit cards/etc. are forced to block payments to Slysoft from the U.S., it could become impossible to purchase updates...

I own licenses for AnyDVD, CloneDVD2, CloneCD and GameJack. I wonder what will happen with later upgrades from AndDVD to AnyDVD-HD - will updates after a certain point only apply updates pertaining to DVD, or if you've already bought AnyDVD and later upgrade to HD, will the free lifetime updates still apply?

Update to the HD part now and you should still get lifetime free updates.

I guess the problem they have, is that the more sophisticated the protection, the more people they have to bring in to defeat it. That and probably special equipment and things. I can see why they would want to go to this model now. However, it shouldn't be no more than $30 for the software and then $10 renewals or something. Or they could pull a fast one like VSO Software and just change the version like AnyDVD 7 instead of 6 and just change the GUI to make it look like it is different to make people buy the newer version.

I just thought of something else too. We have to realise that this Bluray protection is tedious and difficult probably to stay on top of and then we have to wonder...just how many people out there are even using this HD product? There cannot be that many that really "need" this product in comparison to DVD rippers. Maybe the HD product is not selling that good to warrant all the atttention from staff. I have AnyDVD and CloneCD etc, but have no need or desire for BR. Even if I had BR capability at the house, I would not fuss with ripping them to a HDD. I would just use a standalone player, not a media center. I damn sure ain't going to "backup" a disc to a BR disc- that would be retarded.

You'd be surprised how many are backing BD Discs Crabby. Just take a gander on their forum and see.

How do I stop the comments being e-mailed to me?

slysoft sucks, never again will i buy any dvd, dont need it. my kids like the packaging. and music protection is fizzing itself out. even Metallica have noticed sneaking one song inspires most to buy the whole cd anyway. with itunes who cares anyway
Now slysoft goes back on their word with the lifetime thing, and they expect us to say ok..then what else will you lie about.?
its greed or greed and panic and nothing more...
lifetime means lifetime....not until we say so.

they will lose big time on this one...i run a buisness and you cant simply lie and then raise your prices you lose loyalty..and that is what builds a solid buisness.

doublepost ( mistake)

ct, you are absolutely wrong about what you said. People need to read more closely before attacking Slysoft. The announcement states very plainly that people who already own the product don't have to pay for future updates. Slysoft hasn't gone back on their word.

The general reactions are hose of people that do not take the time to read, and probably would do better reading comic books. SlySoft stated that they intend to change their policy regarding lifetime upgrades; this will apply to new purchasers’ after a date certain in the future, please read future. Those that currently own or purchase program before that future date are protected under existing update considerations. Period. I can attest to the products as I have owned them since inception, and even though I lost my records of purchase, they maintained them and e-mailed me my purchase codes and dates of purchase so that I could get present upgrades, no other product, and I mean NO OTHER PRODUCT except a select few will go to the extremes of replacement or upgrade without any compensation that SlySoft does. The Programs have been easy to use for anyone with a modicum of brain matter, and perform as advertised, WHAT ELSE CAN ANY ONE ASK FOR, Free? They already give you a test period for your testing without restriction, copy and protect your originals as many times as you wish during the trial period, then and only then are you expected to pay for this remarkable product. My purpose for writing is to put down the nay sayers, as they probably want everything for free, well you get what you pay for from SlySoft, an original idea that truly works.

Yes, they have a large community and I guess many are ripping to HTPC's. The main reason I would want the HD part of AnyDVD is to have it running to kill all the BS DRM like HDCP,AACS BD+ etc. If I discovered some piece of hardware wasn't shaking hands just right for the disc to play.

I have no problem with their announcement. If I ran a software company and had to pay programmer's I couldn't stay in business giving out lifetime updates. All of the other companies I have dealt with only give you free updates for a time period, usually one year, or until a point issue changes. I have been a fan and supporter of this product for some time now and will continue to be. If I need some future program from them I will certainly buy it. With or without lifetime updates. I would just like to thank them for letting existing users continue to receive free updates. They didn't have to do that. They could have changed the name of the program and stopped updating the existing applications forcing you to buy the new application. So thanks again Slysoft.

Umm..I guess you aren't very smart. Vista doesn't have a subscription payment model.

These people do great work, they sell a good product and if you've ever manually decoded your dvd's you know that the time saved makes their product a bargain even with a yearly subscription. That being said I might go ahead and upgrade to HD just in case.

Well, I just checked SlySoft out, because I wanted to see how much it would cost me to purchase an electronic license key. It is just under 50$ USD. That's a smoking deal, considering the fact that it still means free updates for life, and that promotion is going on until December 31, 2008.

I think it is a great deal, and for those who thumb their noses at SlySoft for this, you need to remember ONE THING: THEY BUILT THIS COMPANY SO THAT THEY COULD FIGHT DRM AND OTHER COPY PROTECTIONS. THAT TAKES TIME, TALENTED PEOPLE, AND LOTS OF MONEY TO DO WHAT THEY DO!

I personally applaud them, and have no problem with purchasing this product that I have now been evaluating for the last week. I think it's worth the money, especially since you cannot buy this kind of quality product in any store in the USA.

Anyone from SlySoft, if you read this, keep up the great job, and remember, when the war is over, and you ARiSE triumphant, there will be many loyal fans of your products who will be standing to cheer for all of your hard working programers.

Thank you.

Went ahead and upgraded to the HD part even though I don't have a Bluray drive. It cost $38 USD. About the same when I bought AnyDVD. Once the PC drives come down in price more, I will put it to good use eventually.

Very smart move shaolin007, now you will get free lifetime updates because you bought before the cutoff date. Congrats.

I for one am a proud user of anydvd and have been for a few years.
Slysoft has some great people working very hard to produce a great product. Iv have allways been impressed with there timely updates to all the new DRM.
Now I'm Granfathered in but would have no problem happly paying for updates even I wasnt. Im happy to pay for a great product that has done some much to fight the evil that is DRM. There are lots of products and programs I have paid for and later regteted it. Slysoft products are not one of them and are simply outstanding and I for one will happly be there customer for many years to come.
Some of you will not be happy unless every thing is free. Well lets lay blame where is should be, cough cough Sony. punish the bad guys and lets help out the good guys.
Now get out there and go pirate something form Sony allready....Hehe J/k.