Grzyb wrote on Yesterday, 17:49:

My internet connection can't work without the infrastructure at the ISP's side - it's normal that I need to pay for their SERVIC […]
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My internet connection can't work without the infrastructure at the ISP's side - it's normal that I need to pay for their SERVICE.
Whatever I get via pipelines - water, gas, theoretically even ink - needs some pumping station at the other end. It's normal that I need to pay for their SERVICE.

A bottle of water, a cylinder of gas, a cartridge of ink, a disk of data - they are all PRODUCTS.
They don't need any SERVICES from the outside world - it's normal that I don't pay for any SERVICES.

This is a fair point, your distinction is valid. The carrier-locked phone may be a better analogy.

Or water subscriptions where you pay for a certain monthly amount of bottled mineral water delivered to your home/office.
If you cancel the subscription (on whatever terms) - they will probably take away the equipment, but will they take away the water jug you didn't finish?

These are all different business models. The transition from goods to services is happening in many areas.

I suppose people find it 'easier' to accept with software, because we feel software is less tangible. However, there is a lot backlash against that too.
I don't buy anything on Steam, because I know that they have full control of my games and can block me / lock me out any time.
If I buy digital-only, it's only GOG or other DRM-free alternatives where I get an offline installer that cannot be taken away from me.

I stand by what I said - the practice is not tantamount to fraud, and the X post is misleading.
If one doesn't want to buy "printing as a service", no one is forcing them.
I don't believe it will ever become mandatory. There will always be a market for those who want to do it the "old-fashioned" way, and so there will be companies offering this option. Simple economics.