That article has a huge blindspot. The vast majority of professional software I've come across is in the $1k-50k/year range, ranging from $1k/seat mechanical CA

That article has a huge blindspot. The vast majority of professional software I've come across is in the $1k-50k/year range, ranging from $1k/seat mechanical CAD and other PDL/manufacturing/etc software to $50k/seat silicon design packages. Contracts for the latter may break $100k on a regular basis but many if not most customers for the rest, like the diaspora of subcontractors in automotive, biotech, or the MIC are small to medium sized businesses with annual accounts under $100k.