When did selling a product instead of a subscription become a bad business model?

Edit: I have a lot of trouble believing that a product that could theoretically have value to every person on the planet for current and every future generations, that can’t be passed along used or resold, couldn’t develop a successful sustainable business model.

Do you have a source we can reference for that particular bit of shitbaggery?

Edit: congressional report on the shit bags in question:

https://www.classaction.org/media/hartz-v-taxact-inc-congressional-report.pdf