Let's see, we started with a question of economics need for E-ON and ended with planets and along the way checked out the word irregardless (which incidentally is not a word -or wasn't at one time).   LOL  There is a business term for what  E-ON may be facing and that is "cash flow".   If E-ON is having a cash flow problem then the maintenance program may have been their answer to that problem.  It's hard to understand where exactly E-ON is going because they have stated that the upgrade from 7 to 8 is the same cost as 7 to 7.5.  But if they offer a maintenance program that gives the end user both then cash comes in.   Just a guess.  This latest twist by E-ON has a whole bunch of people up in arms.   A check of this forum reveals that!   I myself will have to wait until my business upgrades all my equipment .   That depends on Microsofts new operating system.   AND that is another story!   :)