Crippleware

Crippleware is any computer software product whose functions have been limited (or "crippled") with the sole purpose of encouraging or requiring the user to pay for those functions (either by paying a one-time fee or an on-going subscription fee). Crippleware is also a term used to describe software that makes use of Digital Rights Management.

In Software

Crippleware programs are usually freeware versions of computer programs that lack the most advanced (or in some cases, even crucial) features of the original program. Crippleware versions are made available in order to increase the popularity of the full program without giving it away free. An example of crippleware is a word processor that cannot save or print. However, crippleware programs can also differentiate between tiers of paying software customers. A well known example is the Microsoft Windows pricing model.

There are several types of crippleware programs:

• The full program with the features disabled; this type can be "unlocked" into a fully functional version of the software, usually via a serial number. One such example of this is the Adobe Creative Suite 4 trial downloads
• A special trial version of the program that does not even include the executable code for the disabled features. In this case, only users who buy a license are given access to another version of the program, which is fully functional.
• The functionality of the software or hardware is permanently compromised from full functionality due to third party agreements. some General License Programs display this property
• The vendor includes a clause that features time limits to mar functionality. For example, the freeware version of Fraps has in-game video recording time restricted to 30 seconds, and with a Fraps logo on the video.

For something to become crippleware, it usually requires the manufacturer or author to take active steps to reduce the capabilities that the hardware or software could otherwise handle. For example, Windows Vista Starter is restricted to running a maximum of three concurrent applications beyond those specified by Microsoft as basic system requirements. As connoted by the name, crippleware is generally not held in high regard. The authors of crippleware note that regular shareware versions are often cracked, so that the authors are not paid for their work. Therefore, crippleware can be a solution to that problem. Ironically, crippleware tends to be cracked more frequently than other shareware as a result of demand. For this reason, most companies that are serious about crippleware have a separate trial version of the program. A disadvantage to crippleware compared to other trial software is that users cannot test the full program under real life conditions and therefore do not know whether it will truly meet their needs.

In Hardware

There have also been hardware products that can be considered crippleware. Examples include:

• the Intel 486SX which was a 486DX with the FPU removed or in early versions present but disabled
• Powerware has a line of UPS models that can be upgraded in the field (without replacing any components) to the top model (15 kVA). That is, all the models are equal, but the lower ones are sold with a power limit, which can be removed for a price.
• Suunto sold a line of dive computers that included the Favor and the Octopus II. The major difference between these two was that if the diver was doing a decompresson dive the Favor would display the amount of decompression time needed. The Octopus II would not display that time, although it would keep track of it (at the stop it would show a warning while the diver needed to wait before continuing his ascent. In the same circumstances the Favor would display a countdown). The Favor was about 1/3rd more expensive than the Octopus II (about 200 euros versus 150).
• Casio fx-82es has the same rom as fx-991es. However the advanced functions are simply disabled.
• For most video cards there exist multiple versions. Lower end versions of the same model often feature similar hardware but with reduced functionality such as a lower memory bandwidth or a slightly weaker GPU. This is done to allow the manufacturer to sell similar models at a reduced cost.
• Many Apple Inc. non-pro computers had features disabled to make money by selling higher end PowerBooks and Power Macs. These included iBooks and PPC iMacs not having the ability to extend desktops to multiple displays. However, this feature is easily enabled by a free program called "Screen Spanning Doctor".

Non-computer products

Cars

In cars there is also crippleware:

• The Mazda 2's 1.3l engine can have either 75 or 86 PS with the only difference being the ECU programming and the price.

But in cars the motivation for crippleware is more usually trying to prevent a lower model from cannibalizing the sales of a higher model. For instance:

• When the Golf V GTI was introduced its engine developed only 200 hp (tuners were able to increase that to 246 hp (183 kW) by reprogramming the ECU and currently that engine is available in several levels of power: 230 hp (GTI Edition 30), 241 hp (Seat Leon Cupra), 265 hp (Audi S3), although with some mechanical differences). It was suspected that this was to protect the R32 model equipped with the VR6 engine which has only 250 hp (190 kW).
• The same engine when it first appeared in the Seat Leon had even less power (185 hp), possibly because in the hierarchy of the Volkswagen Group marques, Seat is lower than VW.
• Porsche deliberately limits their Boxster and Boxster S to 10 fewer horsepower than its hard top sibling, the Cayman and Cayman S.
• The Porsche Cayman was initially not available with a Limited Slip Differential, a feature which is standard in the Porsche 911. Many publications reviewing the Cayman speculated that it was to avoid the Cayman cannibalizing 911 sales, as with the feature it may produce better performance figures.

See also

• Defective by Design

External links

• "Court order denying motion to dismiss of Melanie Tucker v. Apple Computer Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division"
• "Want an iPhone? Beware the iHandcuffs" New York Times article explicitly labeling iPhone OS as crippleware
• "Stealth plan puts copy protection into every hard drive"
• "Western Digital drive is DRM-crippled for your safety"
• "Western Digital's 'crippleware': Some lessons from history"