As many new sounds and OS features are incorporated into new arrangers' styles, I don't think the manufacturers are going to worry too much about newer styles being made backwards compatible hurting sales of new models. In fact, right now, we ALL know that whatever new styles come in the T4 will eventually get ported back to the T3, T2, etc.. And Yamaha won't make a dime on them. They won't sound as good as they do on the T4, and that's all that matters. And it somehow doesn't seem to stop people from buying T4's, even knowing that...

But if they implemented protected styles, they could SELL them to T3 owners and make a HUGE chunk of money they would ordinarily miss completely out on.

I honestly see protected styles as a win/win for the manufacturers, a win/win for the style makers, and a win/lose for us... Sure, we won't be able to STEAL them any more, but there will be a HUGE increase in the number and quality of those available...

Bring back protected styles!