Mike Peterson
Apple has made a change to its Final Cut Pro trademark that suggests the company is eyeing a possible subscription-based model or add-on in the future.
Specifically, Apple has added a Nice Classification 42 listing to its trademark for Final Cut Pro in Europe.
The 42 classification, which is used by platforms like Microsoft Office 365, includes software-as-a-service (SaaS). It covers "software rental," which was not a part of the original registered trademark back in 2016. The change to the trademark is a specific one, and hints that some sort of change is coming.
Final Cut Pro is currently offered as a one-time purchase software available for a flat fee of $300 on the App Store.
At this point, it isn't clear if Apple will do away with the one-time purchase and opt for a subscription-based model like Adobe Creative Cloud or Microsoft Office 365. It's possible that any SaaS option for Final Cut Pro could be offered in addition to the one-time purchase, and may include additional cloud-based features.
Patently Apple spotted the listing this week.
Apple has taken steps to expand its services offerings in recent years, launching individual services like Apple Fitness+ and Apple TV+ and bundling various products in its Apple One subscription.
The company is also eyeing new areas in which to expand its services. A report from January suggested that Apple is mulling the release of a paid subscription platform for exclusive podcast content.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
41 Comments
I never made the jump to FCPX. I still have FCP 7 up and running and now I've had to move to Premiere since it already comes with Creative Suite.
Subscriptions transfer power from the user to the corporation. The Corporation can end your subscription. The end point of all this is you can become an unperson on the whim of the Corporation.
Leave the ability to buy to own and this will be ok.
Another line item on my credit card statement every month? How fast can you say 'delete'...?