Avid has chosen to announce these major changes on the Pro Tools Users Facebook Group. Here is the announcement in full..

Important Update on Upcoming Creative Tools Price Adjustments
We wanted to give you a heads up on some important changes regarding the pricing of our Creative Software products. We are announcing that we have adjusted several of the prices of these offerings effective July 1, 2019. Some prices have increased, some have stayed the same and some have decreased.

As many of you know, the entire technology industry is going through a major shift from perpetual licenses to a new business model focused on subscription. This directional change is a positive shift for many users that are interested in more flexible and affordable payment options and only paying for those features, functions or services they need to access. Avid is always looking at ways to improve efficiencies in this area and while we have maintained the same pricing since our subscription offers started over 5 years ago, that will be changing. We continue to deliver new innovations, as well as new ways of enabling our customers to do their jobs faster and easier. This includes the recent announcements of the 2019 releases of Media Composer, Pro Tools 2019.x and Sibelius 2019.x.

A major focus of our analysis was on the shift from perpetual to subscription models and as a result we have increased the number and appeal of cross-grade offers for those that are interested in shifting from perpetual to subscription. We have also increased the number of payment options for subscription, including pay up front annually, commit annually but pay monthly and pay as you go, monthly. In addition, we have decided that customers currently subscribing to Media Composer, Pro Tools and Sibelius will not have a price increase, however they must continue to keep their subscription current in order to maintain their existing price.

Please know that Avid understands the impact and implication of price increases and this is not a decision we take lightly or without significant analysis and thought. For those of you that are currently on Perpetual Licenses, the increase ranges from 0-33% on new licenses depending on the product and type of license. As an alternative to renewing at the new pricing, there are incentives for you to cross-grade from your current perpetual license to subscription, like decreased pricing and additional functionality, depending on the product. We would highly recommend that you look at those options as you consider your next renewal.

Notes from Avid to clarify what the changes mean…

Q – Will Avid still offer BOTH perpetual and subscription offerings?
A – We will continue to offer perpetual pricing as an option. However, going forward the preferred pricing model will be subscription-based pricing, because this is the direction of the entire industry and the way people would prefer to license software. In addition, Avid will continue to offer perpetual renewal programs for all products.
Q – Will Avid still support dongles?
A – Yes, Avid will support dongles and iLok for managing their licenses.
Q – Will Avid still support Perpetual reinstatement programs?
A – Avid will continue to offer reinstatements
Q – If my Support Contract on my Perpetual license expires after July 1, 2019, can it be removed beforehand at the older price?
A – Yes, you can renew the upgrade and support plan on your perpetual license prior to its expiration date. This will simply extend the end of your current plan another year. This means that you can renew your plan before July 1, 2019 at the current price.
Q – If my Subscription expires after July 1, 2019, can it be renewed beforehand at the older price?
A – Customers who purchased subscriptions prior to July 1, 2019 can continue to renew their subscriptions at the original (current) price.
Q – Will Avid change pricing on Avid.com?
A – Yes, pricing will be the same for our customers via the Avid webstore as through the reseller channel.
Q – Is there a limit on how many renewals I can purchase on my active Perpetual plan?
A – There are no limit. You can buy as many renewal plans and that will be added to your current plan. For example – If your Perpetual Plan expires in September 2019 and you chose to purchase 6 Renewals BEFORE July 1, 2019 then your new expiration date will be September 2025.
Q – If I crossgrade to a rental plan will I need to surrender my perpetual license?
A – Yes, crossgrades from Perpetual to Subscription will require you to surrender the current perpetual license you have.