[tescocles]

I don't know the contract law in the relevant (presumably US) jurisdiction, but surely an asterisk in the contract that's basically:

Lifetime perpetual licence!*

*but we can cancel any time without any penalty lol teehee

is not enforceable? I don't think it would fly in court where I live, it doesn't matter if it was in a signed contract if it's preposterously unfair.

edit: and I don't even necessarily think a lifetime licence is something a company should offer, they are quite unfair on the developer. It's a big commitment to say you'll support some software in perpetuity. But the solution to that is to not offer a lifetime licence. It's not to just outright lie and say you are when you aren't. And if you're one company looking to buy another, you buy those contracts along with it and should take that into account in your due diligence.

[leokennis]

Exactly. If this was really legal, I do not understand why Ford would not market it's newest pick-up truck as "now with flying ability!" and then just add in small print "it can not actually fly at all".

[rrobukef]

On the other hand, airlines have had major trouble with lifelong tickets sold in the eighties.

[hinkley]

Saying Lifetime when the license says when we feel like it is lying. Enforceable in court or not, they’re liars.

Liars surrounded by a sea of liars, but still liars.