Can I get a lifetime license for Final Cut Pro, Motion & Compressor through 'The Pro Apps Bundle' for students?

Hello Ben,

Thank you for your reply. I did some more research and found a video titled "Legal questions EXPLAINED! Apple Pro Apps Bundle for Education" by "LJ-Tech Review" where he reads through and explains the license. He says the following:

"There’s no limitations on download or use, no cut down features: they’ll be fully functioning and they are all good to go for commercial use because they use the same software license as the regular one’s do. I’ve also called customer service to confirm that it won’t expire: the apps will stay forever in your account even when you graduate”.

But his video is 6 years old, but I downloaded the terms & conditions and EULA and had both ChatGPT, Gemini, Le Chat & Esper AI read through them, and they all confirm that the license for the 'The Pro Apps Bundle' doesn't expire and isn't difference from the regular, non-student license. So as long as you're a student, which I am, it seems you're good to go!

Let me explain:

• Apple Account 1 = My current private Apple Account, used for iCloud, purchases and everything else.
• Apple Account 2 = My old (previous) private Apple Account, on which I bought Final Cut Pro 10 years ago, currently used to distribute the apps I've developed myself to App Store, so I use this method: Migrate purchases from one Apple Account to another Apple Account - Apple Support to have access to the FCP license in my Apple Account 1 but this workaround leaves this account in a semi-deactivated state (for example it makes me have problems paying for my Developer Program annually!). Therefore unlinking them would be beneficial.

I think Final Cut Pro will be around as long as Apple sell Macs, offering native Pro apps that is only available on Apple hardware is what keeps a lot of Pro users like myself buying Macs for thousands of dollars. Offering a perpetual license for pro apps for NLE, VFX, music production and now also photo editing with Pixelmator Pro and Photomator is a key factor in making Mac computers of interest to me and many others. So as long as Apple has a smart marketing team, they'll keep these apps around as long as the Mac is around. If they were to stop making these apps or making them a subscription, I would instantly sell my Mac and use my Windows computer full-time and use DaVinci Resolve, Pro Tools etc. there instead. But I prefer Apples Pro apps, so that what's keep me on Mac.

To your third question, I don't have any answers. But that's probably why Apple themselves can't make a separate license for the student bundle since they can't know if an exported file will be used in a commercial setting or not.

Martin,

Let me clear things up for you:

1 - During the past 6 years in-between working in the industry, I've studied many different film/VFX courses at three major Swedish schools ("Yrkeshögskolor" as they're called here) spread across Sweden's two largest cities (Stockholm and Gothenburg). Not a single yrkeshögskola has had any direct agreement with Apple. Here in Sweden, school is financed by taxes, but the study material (books/computers/softwares) is personally financed by the student when you reach a certain age. There are of course exceptions: if you are studying to be a construction worker, you are not expected to go and buy your own crane. Of course. Then, for example, if you are studying to be a camera operator for TV, the school often provides professional cameras, since it's not even possible for a student to buy a Grass Valley camera on their own. But when the study material has an individual cost or a cost that is not too expensive (≈<20 000 SEK I would way, but its not a rule) for the students to be able to purchase it themselves, it is actually the student's task here in Sweden to acquire the material for the education programs where the students are older than 20 years. And yes of course: I've asked the teachers and IT-admins on all schools I've attended (including this upcoming one!) and they have all confirmed they have no direct contact/agreement/whatever directly with Apple. So I'm sure you're 100% correct in the U.S. or some other countries, but since I've attended the largest creative schools in my country and not a single one of them has had a deal with Apple, I'm not sure where you expect me to find this "Agreement between my educational institution and Apple"?

2 - I have previously purchased MacBooks from the Education Store during my academic studies without any issues, Apple didn't deactivate or brick my Mac when my course was finished, and my school has not had any agreements with Apple as mentioned.

3 - Apple clearly offers this education bundle on the Education Store in Sweden, despite our largest creative schools not having any agreements with Apple. But maybe it's just there for decoration in the Swedish education store? The icons are very pretty after all!

4 - I have emailed Apple’s relevant departments regarding this matter and will ensure that all necessary arrangements are made before making any purchases. Most people wouldn't even make this thread to begin with, so I'm not sure why you're talking to me like you expect me to break anyone's EULA or agreements? I will promptly respond to you and this thread once I receive a reply from them. So rest assured I won't do anything I'm not supposed to, I thought I kind of showed that I'm a man of the law by making this thread, but it seems like I was naive.