[auggierose]

Jetbrains doesn't allow you to use the current version forever if you stop paying. It allows you to use the version YOU CURRENTLY FULLY PAID FOR, which is a year old version. That's a very clever trick, and also shows that in the end it's really just about providing a feel-good factor.

[VincentEvans]

I misused the word “current” to mean the version as of the time of the purchase.

I don’t consider it a trick at all and am not sure why being able using something that was perfectly usable when you bought it is “a trick” as soon as a newer version of that thing comes out?

[auggierose]

I see you still don't get how it works. There are two options:

You buy it outright. Then this version belongs to you, and there are no subscriptions.

Or, you buy a subscription. After 12 months, you are using the current version of Jetbrains, and the version from 12 MONTHS AGO belongs to you forever. With a subscription, the version belonging to you will always be 12 months older than the current one you are using right now.

Most people don't seem to understand that, do the subscription, and as they never understood what they really signed up for, are happy.

It's not even unethical by Jetbrains, it's perfectly fine and OK. But it IS a clever trick.