Microsoft's "Windows 365" Trademark Hints at Subscription Model

[[Coi] Mr.CLuBBeR]

Examining the different scenarios

Microsoft has been granted a patent for "Windows 365" by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and of course the immediate reaction is that Windows is headed towards a subscription model similar to Office 365. Indeed that may be the case, though from everything that we know, it probably won't apply to Windows 10, which will remain a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users for the first year.
Some people took the free upgrade announcement to mean that after the first year, a subscription fee would kick in. That's not my understanding of things, though the Windows 365 trademark is certainly an interesting development. Here are three possible scenarios I see playing out.
1. Windows 10 Goes the Subscription Route

I'll say right off the bat that this is highly unlikely, at least as an all-or-nothing affair. As I understand the free upgrade path to Windows 10, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users will have a year to make the upgrade at no cost, and after that, it will cost a flat fee, just like Windows does now. This is similar to what Microsoft's done in the past, except instead of offering a free upgrade, it offered a reduced rate and discounted family packs.
That said, I could see Microsoft rolling out a subscription pricing plan as an option, just as it does with its Office suite. So just as you can purchase Office 2013 or subscribe to Office 365, perhaps you'll be able to choose between Windows 10 and Windows 365, the latter of which would be an ongoing subscription that ensures you'll receive all futures versions of Windows, so long as your subscription is current.
2. Going All-In with Microsoft

Similar to the above scenario, Microsoft could offer an all-inclusive package of Windows products on a subscription basis. This could include Windows OS releases, Office, Skype, OneDrive storage, and even Xbox Live, though the more it bundles in, the higher the subscription.
Alternately, it could relate to an all-inclusive package of Windows products, save for Windows itself. Microsoft COO Kevin Turner said during the Windows 10 event that "We've got to monetize [Windows 10] differently, and there are services involved." We don't want to extract too much out of that comment, though it could mean charging a subscription fee for certain products and services that tie into Windows 10.
3. Post Windows 10 Era

One other possible scenario is that Windows 365 will follow Windows 10. Microsoft is heavily invested in the cloud and sees it being an integral part of its future, so perhaps Windows 10 will be the last flat-fee version of Windows.
Unfortunately there aren't a lot of hints in the trademark itself, which is posted at Neowin. It covers everything from computer software and operating systems to telecommunications services and providing education and training. Including all those things would seem to support scenario number two above, though it's more likely Microsoft is simply covering all of its bases.
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