Digital Control and the Future of Product Lifecycles

Digital Control and the Future of Product Lifecycles

In 2026, an unprecedented business model emerged, sparking widespread debate in legal, economic, and ethical circles. This model, dubbed "Programmed Temporal Products" (PTPs), is being adopted by major electronics companies and high-end fashion houses. It represents a complete revolution in the concept of private property as humanity has known it for centuries. These companies began integrating "smart contracts" into the physical products themselves, granting them the ability to control their basic functions after a specified period. A smartphone could stop working, a luxury coat could change color, and a precious watch could lose its features—all automatically and programmatically unless the user renews what is called a "usage license." Physical Smart Contracts: Atom Control Technology This technology relies on integrating multiple technologies into the structure of the physical product. Electronics contain secure chips that cannot be removed without damag…