you have to buy 2018 FastPath, a way to generate $$ for Intuit.

What if a person did not plan on doing any ttax returns for 2018, why would they have to pay hundreds of dollars for a tax software and there was a notice that 2016 and 2017 returns could now be filed.?

It does not matter if you don't want to file 2018 tax returns.  They changed it a few years ago that you need to pay the Fast Path fee every year (about $270?) in order to print or e-file any new tax return (including for prior years).

The notice may have said that the IRS has now opened the e-file system for prior year for BUSINESS returns (corporations, partnerships, etc.), but not 1040s.  That doesn't open until January 28th.

https://accountants-community.intuit.com/articles/1606761-what-is-proseries-fast-path

As was mentioned, you have three issues:

1. In order to print or e-file a new tax return, you need to pay the Fast Path Licensing fee for 2018 software.  It doesn't matter that you paid it for the 2017 software.
2. Once you do that, you need to go to the "Tools" menu and re-license the software.
3. Once you do that, you can print the tax return.  You can e-file the 1040 when the IRS opens the e-file system, around January 28th.