Right, one year to update for free if you wish any 'genuine' copy of 7 or 8. I sure as hell wish that applied to server editions too. I would love to move from 2012 to 10 server just for the updates for storage spaces alone.
As for pirated copies... I think NO. They cleared that up, or backpedaled on that awhile ago where they stated they would not be giving new valid license for pirate copy. I mean technically... if you managed to have 7 that activated properly as genuine with a non blacklisted OEM VLK then maybe. I'm highly certain that for 8.x with hacktivated KMS it won't work. It all comes down to if the automated license management server is aware of your pirate keys being blacklist. I suppose we will find out soon.
Microsoft claims that Windows won't become subscription based, or at least monetary subscription based, and that 10 may be the 'last' version of Windows. To me it seems they are more interested in getting all Windows machines on the same version as to reduce the effort required for maintenance and patches. They will concentrate on other services like Azure, OneDrive, office365, and other 'live' services to generate revenue. As of now they have said all future 10 updates will be for 'free'.
