Final Cut Pro Trademark Update Suggests Apple Eyeing Future Subscription Model

Apple has amended its trademark for Final Cut Pro, its professional high-end video editing software, in a way that suggests it could be planning to turn the now one-time payment model for the software into a subscription.

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As reported by Patently Apple, on Monday, Apple added a Nice Classification #42 listing to its Final Cut Pro trademark in Europe. The Class 42 identification is listed as including software as a service (SaaS), or a platform as a service (PaaS). For context, Microsoft Office 365, which is based on a monthly or yearly subscription, includes the same Class 42 listing for its suite of software.

Final Cut Pro is currently sold for $300 and is used widely by professional videographers, YouTubers, and content makers. Potentially changing the price and payment model into a monthly, or yearly subscription could entice even more customers to use the software. If Apple is planning the subscription route, it'll likely include more than simply the software itself.

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With a subscription, Apple theoretically could offer subscribers access to original content, such as in-depth tutorials, walkthroughs, or exclusive videos/sessions with prominent video makers who use Final Cut Pro as part of their workflow.

Whether Apple takes the route is unknown, however, the pure nature of the updated trademark is rather telling. Apple over the years has launched a number of new services, the most recent being Apple Fitness+. The momentum is not slowing down, however. Apple is reportedly eyeing to launch a new podcast subscription service that would offer listeners exclusive and original content.

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Top Rated Comments

jetjaguar Avatar
56 months ago
No thanks
Score: 75 Votes (Like | Disagree)
danistyping Avatar
56 months ago
uh no thanks. And please don't do this with logic pro. I would have to switch to a different DAW. I absolutely despise subscriptions.
Score: 62 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djcerla Avatar
56 months ago
It’s already a subscription.

Go FCP, buy new Macs forever.
Score: 56 Votes (Like | Disagree)
saudor Avatar
56 months ago
Subscription is one of those things that once you taste it, you can never go back. It's a never ending gold mine for $$$. Won't be long until we need subscriptions for breathing oxygen
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iamgalt Avatar
56 months ago
Well, this will be a big push towards Linux and the free video editing software available; for me at least. I was really hoping Apple would stay away from this.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chicane-UK Avatar
56 months ago

Potentially changing the price and payment model into a monthly, or yearly subscription could entice even more customers to use the software.
Subscription is only vaguely appealing for those who only occasionally dabble with the software and can just sign up or cancel as they see fit for projects. Otherwise it's purely a cash grab.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)