Q: Do I have to pay for updates?
A: Generally not. The Object Desktop Network includes 12 months of updates and new components. Minor version updates to other products (like WindowBlinds) are made available to registered users at no charge. For instance, if you purchased WindowBlinds 1.0 you would have had access to over 6 updates at no charge. Only major version changes (like moving from WindowBlinds 1.x to WindowBlinds 2.0) will have an upgrade charge.
So it depends on the version you have.
The "one year" only applies to Object Desktop, as you are paying for a subscription with that.
If you purchased WindowBlinds 5.5 after February 1, 2007, then you should have recieved the WindowBlinds 6 update for free. If it was before that, than the $15 upgrade will apply.
If you currently have WB 6, then subsequent updates will be free until the next major revision. You should update WB via Stardock Central or Impulse.