I have a client transitioning from one software package to another due to growth. Since they will no longer need the original software within a couple of days, they have not renewed their support package with the software company. And at an annual fee of $3,000.00, I agree this would be a waste of money to resolve just one last problem. The program has been giving errors on a DLL file and has stopped working. My client called another company they knew who were also using the program and they had the same problem. They, however, will be continuing to use the software and upon renewing their support contract, the software manufacturer dialed into their system and “fixed” their problem. After searching for, and not being to find, the DLL file I tried one last option. I back-dated the date on the server and one of the workstations to last month and the program started working just fine. This proves my thought that the DLL file is ?programmed? to expire after a year. And the software company absolutely refuses to provide any support until the contract is renewed and paid for. Since there is no way to get to the data unless the $3,000 is paid, I find this tactic to be very unethical and close to being ?extortion?. While my client sees no need to pursue legal action since usage of the software will be discontinued within a couple of days, I was wondering if anyone else sees this practice as standard or ethical? Whether in a contract or not, I believe this to be an unfair practice in ANY industry. As an IT professional of 22 years and a strong believer in consumer rights, this is not something I would even contemplate doing. This is a vertical market program and, software copyright issues aside, the data belongs to the client and should not be ?held hostage? until a $3,000 annual contract is paid for. I am not going to mention the software company here, but I would never refer them to anyone.
