Well HG:L had a lifetime then it went F2P shortly after then completely died and shut down, the others I was thinking now that I think about it were slightly after Champions were released like Lotro. I played HG:L and almost bought the lifetime so after that I never trusted lifetime memberships again.
Hellgate: London was always free (Except when you bought it), the Subscription was just for a few bonuses. LOTRO didn't go F2P until about 6 months ago if that.
people who subbed automatically get the premium features when f2p launches
Yeah I know but its just annoying because then you get hundreds of F2P people being asses because they didn't have to pay for anything.