The WAN Show If Buying Isn’t Ownership Then Piracy Isn’t Theft - WAN Show June 20, 2025
Jun 21, 2025
The hosts mix humor and frustration while tackling TeamViewer's elimination of lifetime licenses and Steam's quirky frame issues. They dive into the complexities of media ownership and digital archives, and share nostalgic tales about old shows like Reboot. Discussions on AI's impact in content creation and the challenges of cellular services add a lively dynamic. They also critique the gaming industry's microtransaction trends and explore the controversial sale of Nexus Mods, wrapping up with a nod to the evolving landscape of advertising in a digital age.
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Linus's TeamViewer License Story
- Linus bought a perpetual TeamViewer license for around $5,000 in 2016 for remote employee access.
- He upgraded to version 12 mainly for a phone dedicated to 2FA authentication as the team scaled.
Perpetual Licensing's Hidden Risks
- Perpetual licenses promise no ongoing fees, but TeamViewer ended support for old versions, breaking that promise.
- This action questions the sustainability and ethics of perpetual licensing for actively maintained software.
Offer Perpetual License Upgrades
- Companies should offer existing perpetual license holders free or discounted upgrades to newer, supported software versions.
- This approach respects original purchase agreements while encouraging customers to adopt updated, secure platforms.