> Considering that this will only apply to failing products
Companies like Google often shut down products that would be called incredibly successful if they were a startup or small business. In $BigCorp, the yardstick is their main moneymaker, and if you are less profitable and don't fit in the larger strategy you can get cut simply to help the company keep focus on what's important.
On the other side, there are so many companies that would never really make it without a lifeline that extends into the hundreds of millions. Even after IPO, there are so many companies losing heaps of money. So maybe Google just doesn't want to be losing $100M a year for 10 years.
Companies like Google often shut down products that would be called incredibly successful if they were a startup or small business. In $BigCorp, the yardstick is their main moneymaker, and if you are less profitable and don't fit in the larger strategy you can get cut simply to help the company keep focus on what's important.