LC Built Apps held Hostage, Runtime execution rent - looked at FAQ

[harrison at all-auctions.com]

Hi Curry and Riko,

This is really terrible! I’ve never seen a company
want to cut it’s own throat this way before!

Under databases, I didn’t see support
for PostgreSQL specifically listed either,
and that really concerns me.

Seeing it in print makes users want to bail as
quickly as possible! I sure hope the people
at LC seriously reconsider what they are
doing immediately and change course!

Just my 2 cents for the day.

Rick

P.S. Here’s the link for those who haven’t seen it:

https://livecode.com/faq



> On Dec 22, 2025, at 4:13 AM, Riko Abadi via use-livecode <use-livecode at lists.runrev.com> wrote:
> 
> This means already-built apps are permanently dependent on ongoing license
> renewal just to execute.
> That is highly unusual for developer tools and represents significant
> business, operational, and ethical risk.
> 
> Industry-standard practice is that licenses are required to build or
> update, not for existing apps to keep running. Under the current terms,
> LiveCode Create is not a viable option for serious, long-lived applications.
> 
> I hope LiveCode will reconsider this runtime licensing model.
> 
> On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 3:46 AM Curry Kenworthy via use-livecode <
> use-livecode at lists.runrev.com> wrote:
> 
>> LC Built Apps held Hostage, Runtime execution rent - looked at FAQ
>> 
>> More perspective on a top concern -
>> Kill switch details; it's even worse than I remembered.
>> 
>> "Apps require active [LiveCode Create] licensing to run.
>> If your license lapses, your apps will no longer be licensed
>> and they will not continue to run."
>> 
>> Meet the LiveCode FAQ -
>> https://livecode.com/faq
>> 
>> Built Apps - not 'continue' to run?
>> 
>> This is unusual and high-risk for developer tools -
>> App execution is forever tied to ongoing LiveCode renewal.
>> 
>> Runtime execution rent, ongoing = fragile Toy Apps.
>> 
>> subject to renewal, whim, outage, billing, or glitch.
>> much more so than just using hosting or data.
>> 
>> App Runtime hostage reality -
>> 
>> Unethical for consulting/recommending;
>> Dangerous for business operations.
>> Careless for patients, charity, freeware.
>> 
>> would I ever build Apps with Create under these terms?
>> not a chance. glad I looked again.
>> 
>> but easy for LiveCode to fix if they choose;
>> LC recently requested my feedback to help them improve.
>> 
>> What’s normal/standard -
>> 
>> Dev tool licenses are required to build, compile, or deploy.
>> Lapsed licenses typically Disable updates, new builds, support ...
>> 
>> but Existing, already-built apps keep running.
>> That’s why they are 'built' apps!
>> 
>> huge step backward -
>> 
>> I will not follow that wayward direction;
>> my future plans include robust apps and clear ethics.
>> 
>> window is closing to fix LiveCode pricing/terms issues.
>> LiveCode Classic - '2027' end of life.
>> people have been retooling elsewhere.
>> 
>> so ... hope this requested advice improves LiveCode Create.
>> 
>> Happy Holy-days of Christ's Mass!
>> 
>> Best wishes,
>> 
>> Curry Kenworthy
>> 
>> "Dominate documents with WordLib and LC"
>> https://livecodeaddons.com/wordlib.html
>> 
>> (Still recuperating from illness - comments limited.)
>> 
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