I started paying for my tools during my first job out of college outside SV making less then 100k.

Also most places I’ve worked offer to expense it.

Good for you.

Now consider that for a majority of Europeans 25k is a good salary. Now consider 6 billion world citizens can only dream of 25k.

But that applies to everything. From photoshop or auto cad to laser cutters and pickup trucks.

Seems like the best you could argue for is discounts on older models or transfers of “used” licenses.