Definition:
Access over ownership is the shift from purchasing goods outright to paying for temporary or conditional use.
Usage Context:
Common in software licensing, streaming services, digital tools, and cloud platforms.
Critical Note:
Access can be revoked, altered, or priced upward without consent. Control remains with the provider rather than the user.
Related Terms:
Subscription Culture, Consumer Lock-In, Platform Dependency, Enclosure, Decommodification