From: Brent Brown <brent@eds.co.nz>
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Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2020 15:24:05 -0700
Subject: [PIC]: MPLAB XC C Compiler License Change
Thread-Topic: [PIC]: MPLAB XC C Compiler License Change
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FYI - Received an email from Microchip today with the above subject line. S=
imilar=20
text as that found here, read from License Change Notice:

https://www.microchip.com/mplab/compilers

Two key points:

- All MPLAB XC PRO licenses activated after this date (September 1, 2020) w=
ill=20
expire after one year unless the HPA is renewed

- An existing MPLAB XC PRO license will change to this new model as the HPA=
 is=20
renewed and applied to it.

Where HPA =3D High Priority Access. Presently gives (existing owners) an un=
grade to=20
the latest version plus any other new versions released in the next 12 mont=
hs.

So the compiler will stop working after 12 months unless one pays a yearly =
license=20
fee. I imagine it stops working in Pro mode, and instead falls back to the=
=20
free/un-licensed mode with little to no optimization. Where fully optimized=
 code is=20
essential, this effectively means it stops working.

Feels like it might be an un-popular change, especially for those with smal=
ler=20
budgets. I was quite accepting of HPA as it was... ability to upgrade only =
as and=20
when required, e.g. starting a new project with a new chip, and ability to =
maintain=20
older projects at will.

--=20
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