Filmora lifetime licenses terminated - Revision history

YoshiRulz: /* Wondershare's response */ Remove extraneous empty template argument

2026-03-17T11:49:58Z

Wondershare's response: Remove extraneous empty template argument

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	===Wondershare's response===		===Wondershare's response===
	The company directly addressed the users of the lifetime license users, putting out a statement with a public apology for the caused confusion.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Wondershare FINALLY makes things right for their old lifetime license users!! \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Filmora/comments/zzwczm/wondershare_finally_makes_things_right_for_their/ ~~\|archive-date=~~ \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|via=Reddit \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230101000820/https://old.reddit.com/r/Filmora/comments/zzwczm/wondershare_finally_makes_things_right_for_their/ \|archive-date=1 Jan 2023}}</ref> In that same statement, two compensation options are offered. Customers get a free upgrade to the latest version, but it does not state about future updates. By the specific language used, in this case "upgrade", the earlier lifetime updating does not seem applicable anymore after this. In the case that customers had already payed, they could get a full refund if they responded within a month, otherwise the company assumes they opt for getting additional software (priced at $99) as a way of compensation.		The company directly addressed the users of the lifetime license users, putting out a statement with a public apology for the caused confusion.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Wondershare FINALLY makes things right for their old lifetime license users!! \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Filmora/comments/zzwczm/wondershare_finally_makes_things_right_for_their/ \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|via=Reddit \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230101000820/https://old.reddit.com/r/Filmora/comments/zzwczm/wondershare_finally_makes_things_right_for_their/ \|archive-date=1 Jan 2023}}</ref> In that same statement, two compensation options are offered. Customers get a free upgrade to the latest version, but it does not state about future updates. By the specific language used, in this case "upgrade", the earlier lifetime updating does not seem applicable anymore after this. In the case that customers had already payed, they could get a full refund if they responded within a month, otherwise the company assumes they opt for getting additional software (priced at $99) as a way of compensation.

	==Lawsuit==		==Lawsuit==

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2026-02-23T04:45:22Z

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2026-02-02T19:22:00Z

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			{{IncidentCargo
			\|Company=Wondershare
			\|StartDate=
			\|EndDate=
			\|Status=
			\|ProductLine=
			\|Product=
			\|ArticleType=
			\|Type=
			\|Description=
			}}
	'''[[Wondershare]]''', the company behind '''[[wikipedia:Wondershare_Filmora\|Wondershare Filmora]]''', changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, lifetime licenses promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.		'''[[Wondershare]]''', the company behind '''[[wikipedia:Wondershare_Filmora\|Wondershare Filmora]]''', changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, lifetime licenses promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.

Sferaphim at 07:08, 13 August 2025

2025-08-13T07:08:10Z

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	'''[[Wondershare]]''', the company behind '''[[Filmora]]''', changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, lifetime licenses promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.		'''[[Wondershare]]''', the company behind '''[[wikipedia:Wondershare_Filmora\|Wondershare Filmora]]''', changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, lifetime licenses promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.

	==Background==		==Background==

Keith: added references to consumer response section, removed incomeplete notice

2025-05-17T18:48:21Z

added references to consumer response section, removed incomeplete notice

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:48, 17 May 2025
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	~~{{Incomplete}}~~

	'''[[Wondershare]]''', the company behind '''[[Filmora]]''', changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, lifetime licenses promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.		'''[[Wondershare]]''', the company behind '''[[Filmora]]''', changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, lifetime licenses promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.
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	==Lawsuit==		==Lawsuit==
	In February 2024, there was a related [[class action]] lawsuit filed, alleging that Wondershare lures consumers into automatically renewing subscriptions without making proper disclosures or obtaining customer consent.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=McCroskey \|first=Kelsey \|date=26 February 2024 \|title=Wondershare Hit with Lawsuit Over Alleged Subscription Auto-Renewal Practices \|url=https://www.classaction.org/news/wondershare-hit-with-lawsuit-over-alleged-subscription-auto-renewal-practices \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=ClassAction.org}}</ref><ref>https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366</ref> The court order established a 90-day window for settlement negotiations, and the case was dismissed subject to settlement consummation.<ref>https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366/42</ref>		In February 2024, there was a related [[class action]] lawsuit filed, alleging that Wondershare lures consumers into automatically renewing subscriptions without making proper disclosures or obtaining customer consent.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=McCroskey \|first=Kelsey \|date=26 February 2024 \|title=Wondershare Hit with Lawsuit Over Alleged Subscription Auto-Renewal Practices \|url=https://www.classaction.org/news/wondershare-hit-with-lawsuit-over-alleged-subscription-auto-renewal-practices \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=ClassAction.org}}</ref><ref>https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366</ref> The court order established a 90-day window for settlement negotiations, and the case was dismissed subject to settlement consummation.<ref>https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366/42</ref>

			The complaint alleged that Wondershare engaged in "misleading, false, unfair, and deceptive" practices, with customers seeking refunds and damages.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=21 Feb 2024 \|title=Plaintiff Sues Software Editing Firm for Violating Calif. Automatic Renewal Law \|url=https://communicationslitigationtoday.com/article/2024/02/21/plaintiff-sues-software-editing-firm-for-violating-calif-automatic-renewal-law-2402200028 \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=Communications Litigation Today}}</ref>

	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==

	*'''Deceptive Advertising:''' Numerous users accused Wondershare of false advertising regarding the lifetime licenses.		*'''Deceptive Advertising:''' Numerous users accused Wondershare of false advertising regarding the lifetime licenses. Industry reporting indicated a widely held view that Wondershare's marketing had been unclear about license limitations.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=30 Jan 2023 \|title=Changing Rules of Lifetime Licenses Might Be Illegal \|url=https://nofilmschool.com/lifetime-licenses-need-to-knows \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=NoFilmSchool.com}}</ref>
	*'''Erosion of Trust:''' Previous trust in Wondershare's products evaporated, leaving customers wary of future purchases from the company.		*'''Erosion of Trust:''' Previous trust in Wondershare's products evaporated, leaving customers wary of future purchases from the company. The blogger Ernie Smith described the license switch as "sneaky" in his coverage of the controversy.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=3 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora lifetime license controvery \|url=https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/filmora-lifetime-license-controversy/ \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=MidRange}}</ref>
	*'''Refund Requests:''' There was a significant demand for refunds from those who held "lifetime" licenses, claiming the product did not meet the expectations set by its marketing.		*'''Refund Requests:''' There was a significant demand for refunds from those who held "lifetime" licenses, claiming the product did not meet the expectations set by its marketing. Allegations from the class action lawsuit that Wondershare had been "luring" and "trapping" customers with deceptive license and subscription practices raised the profile of, and contributed to, this demand.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=26 Feb 2024 \|title=Class Action Accuses Wondershare of Allegedly Misleading Customers into Auto-Renewal for Filmora \|url=https://socalrecord.com/stories/654977105-class-action-accuses-wondershare-of-allegedly-misleading-customers-into-auto-renewal-for-filmora \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=SoCal Record}}</ref>


	~~Videos by~~ Daniel Batal: ~~<ref>~~{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=22 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Just CANCELLED our Lifetime Licenses. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm90xW40c3A \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-1}}~~</ref><ref>~~{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Told YouTube To Remove My Video. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIIwQZMFLE \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-2}}~~</ref><ref>~~{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora Buckles Under Public Pressure! (but issues a threat) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy1HiWGchMg \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-3}}~~</ref>~~		==See Also==
			*'''Daniel Batal's coverage:'''
			**{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=22 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Just CANCELLED our Lifetime Licenses. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm90xW40c3A \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-1}}
			**{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Told YouTube To Remove My Video. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIIwQZMFLE \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-2}}
			**{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora Buckles Under Public Pressure! (but issues a threat) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy1HiWGchMg \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-3}}

	~~Videos by~~ Louis Rossmann: ~~<ref>~~{{Cite web \|last=Rossmann \|first=Louis \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora/Wondershare is a bad company for more reasons than you think \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKX0LjGBBqo \|via=YouTube}}~~</ref>~~		*'''Louis Rossmann's coverage:'''
			**{{Cite web \|last=Rossmann \|first=Louis \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora/Wondershare is a bad company for more reasons than you think \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKX0LjGBBqo \|via=YouTube}}

	==References==		==References==

Kostas: Add ids to refs to deduplicate

2025-03-18T08:33:49Z

Add ids to refs to deduplicate

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	Videos by Daniel Batal: <ref>{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=22 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Just CANCELLED our Lifetime Licenses. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm90xW40c3A \|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Told YouTube To Remove My Video. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIIwQZMFLE \|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora Buckles Under Public Pressure! (but issues a threat) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy1HiWGchMg \|via=YouTube}}</ref>		Videos by Daniel Batal: <ref>{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=22 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Just CANCELLED our Lifetime Licenses. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm90xW40c3A \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Told YouTube To Remove My Video. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIIwQZMFLE \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora Buckles Under Public Pressure! (but issues a threat) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy1HiWGchMg \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-3}}</ref>

	Videos by Louis Rossmann: <ref>{{Cite web \|last=Rossmann \|first=Louis \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora/Wondershare is a bad company for more reasons than you think \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKX0LjGBBqo \|via=YouTube}}</ref>		Videos by Louis Rossmann: <ref>{{Cite web \|last=Rossmann \|first=Louis \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora/Wondershare is a bad company for more reasons than you think \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKX0LjGBBqo \|via=YouTube}}</ref>

Emanuele at 15:13, 4 March 2025

2025-03-04T15:13:17Z

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	{{Incomplete}}		{{Incomplete}}

	[[Wondershare]], the company behind [[Filmora]], changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, lifetime licenses promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.		'''[[Wondershare]]''', the company behind '''[[Filmora]]''', changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, lifetime licenses promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.

	==Background==		==Background==
	Filmora is a video editing software designed for content creators and videographers. The software initially offered lifetime licenses, which were priced at $59.99, $20 more than the $39.99/year subscription.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=3 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora lifetime license controvery \|url=https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/filmora-lifetime-license-controversy/ \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=MidRange}}</ref> That meant that the lifetime license was cheaper than going for the yearly subscription twice.		'''Filmora''' is a video editing software designed for content creators and videographers. The software initially offered lifetime licenses, which were priced at $59.99, $20 more than the $39.99/year subscription.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=3 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora lifetime license controvery \|url=https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/filmora-lifetime-license-controversy/ \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=MidRange}}</ref> That meant that the lifetime license was cheaper than going for the yearly subscription twice.

	==Terminating lifetime licenses==		==Terminating lifetime licenses==

InTransparencyWeTrust: Fill in the different sections for this incidents

2025-03-01T10:35:35Z

Fill in the different sections for this incidents

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:35, 1 March 2025
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	{{Incomplete}}		{{Incomplete}}

	''Wondershare, the company behind ~~'''~~Filmora~~'''~~, changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, ~~'''~~lifetime licenses~~'''~~ promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.''		[[Wondershare]], the company behind [[Filmora]], changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, lifetime licenses promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.

	==Background==		==Background==
	~~''Information about~~ the ~~product~~/~~service history to provide~~ the ~~neccessary context surrounding~~ the ~~incident''~~		Filmora is a video editing software designed for content creators and videographers. The software initially offered lifetime licenses, which were priced at $59.99, $20 more than the $39.99/year subscription.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=3 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora lifetime license controvery \|url=https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/filmora-lifetime-license-controversy/ \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=MidRange}}</ref> That meant that the lifetime license was cheaper than going for the yearly subscription twice.

	==~~''[Incident]''~~==		==Terminating lifetime licenses==
	''In 2022, Wondershare altered its licensing terms, effectively invalidating the ~~'''~~lifetime~~'''~~ nature of these licenses. Instead of providing continuous updates, Wondershare restricted major upgrades (e.g., from ~~'''~~Filmora 9 to Filmora 10~~'''~~) to users with ~~'''~~subscription-based~~'''~~ plans or those willing to pay an ~~'''~~additional upgrade fee~~'''~~. This decision led to a significant backlash from customers who had purchased a ~~'''~~lifetime license~~'''~~, believing they were entitled to all future versions at no extra cost.''		In 2022, Wondershare altered its licensing terms, effectively invalidating the lifetime nature of these licenses. Instead of providing continuous updates, Wondershare restricted major upgrades (e.g., from Filmora 9 to Filmora 10) to users with subscription-based plans or those willing to pay an additional upgrade fee. This decision led to a significant backlash from customers who had purchased a lifetime license, believing they were entitled to all future versions at no extra cost.

	''Wondershare initially justified the change by claiming that the lifetime license only covered updates within the same major version (e.g., all updates within ~~'''~~Filmora 9.x~~'''~~ but not Filmora 10). However, this contradicted the original understanding many users had when purchasing the product.''		Wondershare initially justified the change by claiming that the lifetime license only covered updates within the same major version (e.g., all updates within Filmora 9.x but not Filmora 10). However, this contradicted the original understanding many users had when purchasing the product.

	===~~[Company]~~'s response===		===Wondershare's response===
	[https://x.com/~~Filmora_Editor~~/~~status~~/~~1609180413188096005 -]~~		The company directly addressed the users of the lifetime license users, putting out a statement with a public apology for the caused confusion.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Wondershare FINALLY makes things right for their old lifetime license users!! \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Filmora/comments/zzwczm/wondershare_finally_makes_things_right_for_their/ \|archive-date= \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|via=Reddit}}</ref> In that same statement, two compensation options are offered. Customers get a free upgrade to the latest version, but it does not state about future updates. By the specific language used, in this case "upgrade", the earlier lifetime updating does not seem applicable anymore after this. In the case that customers had already payed, they could get a full refund if they responded within a month, otherwise the company assumes they opt for getting additional software (priced at $99) as a way of compensation.

	~~[https:~~//~~www.youtube.com~~/~~watch?v~~=~~OMIIwQZMFLE copyright strike] [https:/~~/~~www~~.~~youtube~~.~~com/watch?v=Xy1HiWGchMg&t=0s 2]~~


	~~''If~~ applicable ~~add~~ the ~~proposed solution to the issues by~~ the company.''

	==Lawsuit==		==Lawsuit==
	~~''If applicable add any information regarding litigation around~~ the ~~incident here~~.''		In February 2024, there was a related [[class action]] lawsuit filed, alleging that Wondershare lures consumers into automatically renewing subscriptions without making proper disclosures or obtaining customer consent.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=McCroskey \|first=Kelsey \|date=26 February 2024 \|title=Wondershare Hit with Lawsuit Over Alleged Subscription Auto-Renewal Practices \|url=https://www.classaction.org/news/wondershare-hit-with-lawsuit-over-alleged-subscription-auto-renewal-practices \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=ClassAction.org}}</ref><ref>https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366</ref> The court order established a 90-day window for settlement negotiations, and the case was dismissed subject to settlement consummation.<ref>https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366/42</ref>

	=== Consumer ~~Response =~~==		==Consumer response==

	* '''Deceptive Advertising:''' Numerous users accused Wondershare of false advertising regarding the lifetime licenses.		*'''Deceptive Advertising:''' Numerous users accused Wondershare of false advertising regarding the lifetime licenses.
	* '''Erosion of Trust:''' Previous trust in Wondershare's products evaporated, leaving customers wary of future purchases from the company.		*'''Erosion of Trust:''' Previous trust in Wondershare's products evaporated, leaving customers wary of future purchases from the company.
	* '''Refund Requests:''' There was a significant demand for refunds from those who held "lifetime" licenses, claiming the product did not meet the expectations set by its marketing.		*'''Refund Requests:''' There was a significant demand for refunds from those who held "lifetime" licenses, claiming the product did not meet the expectations set by its marketing.

	~~===Rebuttal===~~
	~~''The response of the company or counterclaims.''~~
	~~===Outcome===~~
	~~''The outcome, if any, of the suit.''~~

	==~~Consumer response~~==		Videos by Daniel Batal: <ref>{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=22 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Just CANCELLED our Lifetime Licenses. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm90xW40c3A \|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Told YouTube To Remove My Video. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIIwQZMFLE \|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora Buckles Under Public Pressure! (but issues a threat) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy1HiWGchMg \|via=YouTube}}</ref>
	~~''Summary and key~~ issues ~~of prevailing sentiment from the consumers and commentators that can be documented~~ via ~~articles, emails to support, reviews and forum posts.''~~

			Videos by Louis Rossmann: <ref>{{Cite web \|last=Rossmann \|first=Louis \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora/Wondershare is a bad company for more reasons than you think \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKX0LjGBBqo \|via=YouTube}}</ref>

	==References==		==References==
	~~[https:/~~/~~www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKX0LjGBBqo Filmora/Wondershare is a bad company for more reasons than you think - YouTube]~~		<references />
	[~~https~~:~~//www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm90xW40c3A~~ Filmora ~~Just CANCELLED our Lifetime Licenses.~~]		[[Category:Filmora]]
	[[Category:~~''Name of associated product, service, website, software, product line or company goes here''~~]]		[[Category:Articles based on videos]]

Kostas at 23:15, 6 February 2025

2025-02-06T23:15:21Z

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			{{Incomplete}}

	''Wondershare, the company behind '''Filmora''', changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, '''lifetime licenses''' promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.''		''Wondershare, the company behind '''Filmora''', changed its licensing policy, causing controversy among users. Originally, '''lifetime licenses''' promised unlimited access to future updates. However, Wondershare later restricted these licenses, requiring users to pay for major updates instead.''

Alex: /* [Incident] */

2025-02-06T22:29:44Z

[Incident]

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:29, 6 February 2025
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	==''[Incident]''==		==''[Incident]''==
	''~~Change title to be descriptive~~ of ~~the incident~~. ~~Impartial and complete description~~ of the ~~events, including actions taken~~ by the ~~company~~, ~~and the timeline of~~ the ~~incident coming to~~ the ~~public's attention~~.''		''In 2022, Wondershare altered its licensing terms, effectively invalidating the '''lifetime''' nature of these licenses. Instead of providing continuous updates, Wondershare restricted major upgrades (e.g., from '''Filmora 9 to Filmora 10''') to users with '''subscription-based''' plans or those willing to pay an '''additional upgrade fee'''. This decision led to a significant backlash from customers who had purchased a '''lifetime license''', believing they were entitled to all future versions at no extra cost.''

			''Wondershare initially justified the change by claiming that the lifetime license only covered updates within the same major version (e.g., all updates within '''Filmora 9.x''' but not Filmora 10). However, this contradicted the original understanding many users had when purchasing the product.''

	===[Company]'s response===		===[Company]'s response===
			[https://x.com/Filmora_Editor/status/1609180413188096005 -]

			[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIIwQZMFLE copyright strike] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy1HiWGchMg&t=0s 2]


	''If applicable add the proposed solution to the issues by the company.''		''If applicable add the proposed solution to the issues by the company.''

	==Lawsuit==		==Lawsuit==
	''If applicable add any information regarding litigation around the incident here.''		''If applicable add any information regarding litigation around the incident here.''
	===~~Claims~~===
	''~~Main claims~~ of the ~~suit~~.''		=== Consumer Response ===

			* '''Deceptive Advertising:''' Numerous users accused Wondershare of false advertising regarding the lifetime licenses.
			* '''Erosion of Trust:''' Previous trust in Wondershare's products evaporated, leaving customers wary of future purchases from the company.
			* '''Refund Requests:''' There was a significant demand for refunds from those who held "lifetime" licenses, claiming the product did not meet the expectations set by its marketing.

	===Rebuttal===		===Rebuttal===
	''The response of the company or counterclaims.''		''The response of the company or counterclaims.''

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:45, 23 February 2026
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	==Background==		==Background==
	'''Filmora''' is a video editing software designed for content creators and videographers. The software initially offered lifetime licenses, which were priced at $59.99, $20 more than the $39.99/year subscription.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=3 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora lifetime license controvery \|url=https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/filmora-lifetime-license-controversy/ \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=MidRange}}</ref> That meant that the lifetime license was cheaper than going for the yearly subscription twice.		'''Filmora''' is a video editing software designed for content creators and videographers. The software initially offered lifetime licenses, which were priced at $59.99, $20 more than the $39.99/year subscription.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=3 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora lifetime license controvery \|url=https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/filmora-lifetime-license-controversy/ \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=MidRange \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251005231658/https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/filmora-lifetime-license-controversy/ \|archive-date=5 Oct 2025}}</ref> That meant that the lifetime license was cheaper than going for the yearly subscription twice.

	==Terminating lifetime licenses==		==Terminating lifetime licenses==
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	===Wondershare's response===		===Wondershare's response===
	The company directly addressed the users of the lifetime license users, putting out a statement with a public apology for the caused confusion.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Wondershare FINALLY makes things right for their old lifetime license users!! \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Filmora/comments/zzwczm/wondershare_finally_makes_things_right_for_their/ \|archive-date= \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|via=Reddit}}</ref> In that same statement, two compensation options are offered. Customers get a free upgrade to the latest version, but it does not state about future updates. By the specific language used, in this case "upgrade", the earlier lifetime updating does not seem applicable anymore after this. In the case that customers had already payed, they could get a full refund if they responded within a month, otherwise the company assumes they opt for getting additional software (priced at $99) as a way of compensation.		The company directly addressed the users of the lifetime license users, putting out a statement with a public apology for the caused confusion.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Wondershare FINALLY makes things right for their old lifetime license users!! \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Filmora/comments/zzwczm/wondershare_finally_makes_things_right_for_their/ \|archive-date= \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|via=Reddit \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230101000820/https://old.reddit.com/r/Filmora/comments/zzwczm/wondershare_finally_makes_things_right_for_their/ \|archive-date=1 Jan 2023}}</ref> In that same statement, two compensation options are offered. Customers get a free upgrade to the latest version, but it does not state about future updates. By the specific language used, in this case "upgrade", the earlier lifetime updating does not seem applicable anymore after this. In the case that customers had already payed, they could get a full refund if they responded within a month, otherwise the company assumes they opt for getting additional software (priced at $99) as a way of compensation.

	==Lawsuit==		==Lawsuit==
	In February 2024, there was a related [[class action]] lawsuit filed, alleging that Wondershare lures consumers into automatically renewing subscriptions without making proper disclosures or obtaining customer consent.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=McCroskey \|first=Kelsey \|date=26 February 2024 \|title=Wondershare Hit with Lawsuit Over Alleged Subscription Auto-Renewal Practices \|url=https://www.classaction.org/news/wondershare-hit-with-lawsuit-over-alleged-subscription-auto-renewal-practices \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=ClassAction.org}}</ref><ref>https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366</ref> The court order established a 90-day window for settlement negotiations, and the case was dismissed subject to settlement consummation.<ref>https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366/42</ref>		In February 2024, there was a related [[class action]] lawsuit filed, alleging that Wondershare lures consumers into automatically renewing subscriptions without making proper disclosures or obtaining customer consent.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=McCroskey \|first=Kelsey \|date=26 February 2024 \|title=Wondershare Hit with Lawsuit Over Alleged Subscription Auto-Renewal Practices \|url=https://www.classaction.org/news/wondershare-hit-with-lawsuit-over-alleged-subscription-auto-renewal-practices \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=ClassAction.org \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250803120045/https://www.classaction.org/news/wondershare-hit-with-lawsuit-over-alleged-subscription-auto-renewal-practices \|archive-date=3 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref>https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708172903/https://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366 Archived])</ref> The court order established a 90-day window for settlement negotiations, and the case was dismissed subject to settlement consummation.<ref>https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366/42 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708172901/https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/cacdce/2:2024cv01314/915366/42 Archived])</ref>

	The complaint alleged that Wondershare engaged in "misleading, false, unfair, and deceptive" practices, with customers seeking refunds and damages.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=21 Feb 2024 \|title=Plaintiff Sues Software Editing Firm for Violating Calif. Automatic Renewal Law \|url=https://communicationslitigationtoday.com/article/2024/02/21/plaintiff-sues-software-editing-firm-for-violating-calif-automatic-renewal-law-2402200028 \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=Communications Litigation Today}}</ref>		The complaint alleged that Wondershare engaged in "misleading, false, unfair, and deceptive" practices, with customers seeking refunds and damages.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=21 Feb 2024 \|title=Plaintiff Sues Software Editing Firm for Violating Calif. Automatic Renewal Law \|url=https://communicationslitigationtoday.com/article/2024/02/21/plaintiff-sues-software-editing-firm-for-violating-calif-automatic-renewal-law-2402200028 \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=Communications Litigation Today \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251019021748/https://communicationslitigationtoday.com/article/2024/02/21/plaintiff-sues-software-editing-firm-for-violating-calif-automatic-renewal-law-2402200028 \|archive-date=19 Oct 2025}}</ref>

	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==

	*'''Deceptive Advertising:''' Numerous users accused Wondershare of false advertising regarding the lifetime licenses. Industry reporting indicated a widely held view that Wondershare's marketing had been unclear about license limitations.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=30 Jan 2023 \|title=Changing Rules of Lifetime Licenses Might Be Illegal \|url=https://nofilmschool.com/lifetime-licenses-need-to-knows \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=NoFilmSchool.com}}</ref>		*'''Deceptive Advertising:''' Numerous users accused Wondershare of false advertising regarding the lifetime licenses. Industry reporting indicated a widely held view that Wondershare's marketing had been unclear about license limitations.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=30 Jan 2023 \|title=Changing Rules of Lifetime Licenses Might Be Illegal \|url=https://nofilmschool.com/lifetime-licenses-need-to-knows \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=NoFilmSchool.com \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251015232747/https://nofilmschool.com/lifetime-licenses-need-to-knows \|archive-date=15 Oct 2025}}</ref>
	*'''Erosion of Trust:''' Previous trust in Wondershare's products evaporated, leaving customers wary of future purchases from the company. The blogger Ernie Smith described the license switch as "sneaky" in his coverage of the controversy.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=3 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora lifetime license controvery \|url=https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/filmora-lifetime-license-controversy/ \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=MidRange}}</ref>		*'''Erosion of Trust:''' Previous trust in Wondershare's products evaporated, leaving customers wary of future purchases from the company. The blogger Ernie Smith described the license switch as "sneaky" in his coverage of the controversy.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Smith \|first=Ernie \|date=3 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora lifetime license controvery \|url=https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/filmora-lifetime-license-controversy/ \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=MidRange \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251005231658/https://midrange.tedium.co/issues/filmora-lifetime-license-controversy/ \|archive-date=5 Oct 2025}}</ref>
	*'''Refund Requests:''' There was a significant demand for refunds from those who held "lifetime" licenses, claiming the product did not meet the expectations set by its marketing. Allegations from the class action lawsuit that Wondershare had been "luring" and "trapping" customers with deceptive license and subscription practices raised the profile of, and contributed to, this demand.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=26 Feb 2024 \|title=Class Action Accuses Wondershare of Allegedly Misleading Customers into Auto-Renewal for Filmora \|url=https://socalrecord.com/stories/654977105-class-action-accuses-wondershare-of-allegedly-misleading-customers-into-auto-renewal-for-filmora \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=SoCal Record}}</ref>		*'''Refund Requests:''' There was a significant demand for refunds from those who held "lifetime" licenses, claiming the product did not meet the expectations set by its marketing. Allegations from the class action lawsuit that Wondershare had been "luring" and "trapping" customers with deceptive license and subscription practices raised the profile of, and contributed to, this demand.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=26 Feb 2024 \|title=Class Action Accuses Wondershare of Allegedly Misleading Customers into Auto-Renewal for Filmora \|url=https://socalrecord.com/stories/654977105-class-action-accuses-wondershare-of-allegedly-misleading-customers-into-auto-renewal-for-filmora \|access-date=1 Mar 2025 \|website=SoCal Record \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250515061722/https://socalrecord.com/stories/654977105-class-action-accuses-wondershare-of-allegedly-misleading-customers-into-auto-renewal-for-filmora \|archive-date=15 May 2025}}</ref>

	==See Also==		==See Also==
	*'''Daniel Batal's coverage:'''		*'''Daniel Batal's coverage:'''
	**{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=22 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Just CANCELLED our Lifetime Licenses. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm90xW40c3A \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-1}}		**{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=22 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Just CANCELLED our Lifetime Licenses. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm90xW40c3A \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-1 \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=bm90xW40c3A \|archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}
	**{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Told YouTube To Remove My Video. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIIwQZMFLE \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-2}}		**{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=31 Dec 2022 \|title=Filmora Told YouTube To Remove My Video. \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIIwQZMFLE \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-2 \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=OMIIwQZMFLE \|archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}
	**{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora Buckles Under Public Pressure! (but issues a threat) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy1HiWGchMg \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-3}}		**{{Cite web \|last=Batal \|first=Daniel \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora Buckles Under Public Pressure! (but issues a threat) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy1HiWGchMg \|via=YouTube \|ref=Batal-video-3 \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Xy1HiWGchMg \|archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}

	*'''Louis Rossmann's coverage:'''		*'''Louis Rossmann's coverage:'''
	**{{Cite web \|last=Rossmann \|first=Louis \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora/Wondershare is a bad company for more reasons than you think \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKX0LjGBBqo \|via=YouTube}}		**{{Cite web \|last=Rossmann \|first=Louis \|date=2 Jan 2023 \|title=Filmora/Wondershare is a bad company for more reasons than you think \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKX0LjGBBqo \|via=YouTube \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=eKX0LjGBBqo \|archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}

	==References==		==References==