Hum! Thanks for the Info! Good to know!I'm in the US and you can buy and sell (previously purchased) permanent licenses of AD products. I got some work in 3ds Max and purchased a permanent license from fellow 3d artist. AD transferred the license without resistance. The process was as simple as filling out a form, both parties sign the form, and open a ticket with included info. Took about 3 days for AD to reply. The license was transferred about 2 days later.
In general, I've found the information AD releases to be more of a misinformation campaign.
Did you know that for 2 years anyone buying a Max or Maya license could have bought the Max with SI or Maya with SI license for no extra cost? AD had everyone convinced only current Softimage license holders could buy those products. Totally false and totally illegal (in the US); you can't sell to a subset of people. So think of all those Max/Maya purchases from 2014 to 2016 which would have received a free SI license. You have to watch AD's wording. They have an agenda. Sadly the agenda was to bury Softimage.
If you find someone willing to sell a permanent Softimage license, AD will transfer it. Although I'm sure they would rather not.
For the item, perhaps seeking B&H support on the matter?
I doubt it's like a rogue database entry (also seen elsewhere), as item availability seems otherwise thoroughly maintained.
Perhaps there is somehow an obligation or some motivation in letting it remain somehow slightly available?
Or perhaps was there some reseller independence due to something like prepaid licenses if there was such a thing?
I wouldn't ask for official source confirmation of any that, but if B&H explicitly confirms upon request that it's 'real', then it probably is.