Where does "ethics" reside in each case? Using Warez software, even as a "demo" encourages more software to be warezed. This is a bad thing. Borrowing a copy of software from a friend with the intent of purchasing it if you continue to use it may actually help the company concerned, if you do buy it. If you don't buy it after you evaluate your friend's copy, you should delete it from your system. Companies that intentionally screw the buyers wind up with a hot competitor taking their market share. It creates opertunity in the market. Is it ethical to sell a product that you don't think you'll be able to support because you may go out of business? I don't think so, but then the company is never sure what will happen next. I can't imagine someone like CL just closing their doors. They'd probably sell the software code and product rights and there would be a continuation of service. Side note: CL has gotten rid of their registration scheme - thank the gods! Is it right for a company to sell at in "introductory price", then after the initial sales boom further reduce the price? To me it depends on how long the product has been out. If you go to a store and less than a month they reduce the price on a piece of clothing, they'll usually refund the difference if you've got your reciept. I continue to do business at these stores, but not at ones where they don't. Using a friend's student ID to buy a cheaper version of software is iffy to me. The company uses this play to get people involved in learning and using their software. Just because I'm not a "registered" student, doesn't mean I don't want to learn to use it. However, the terms on student purchase usually state it is to be used only by the purchaser, so I'd probably not do it. The company has the right to restrict sales as they feel fit, and I have the responsibility to honor their choices. Free or for sales doesn't really come into play. I'd continue to use the student copy until the net upgrade came out, then I'd get the full version according to the listed upgrade terms at non-student price. This is iffy on ethics, but until I start making money, I won't have it to spend. Now, the final unasked question: does a company treating it's purchasers badly make it right for a purchaser to break the above rules? uh... well, I think so. If I purchase a product that is not as advertised, and the company will not make good on the product or refund my money, screw them. To me they've violated their contract, and I have NO OBLIGATION either morally or ethicly to honor my side of the bargin. They have my money, and I didn't get what I bought. The company becomes fair game until I get what I paid for. If I buy a copy of software at full price that doesn't have all the capabilities as advertised, then I'll use a student ID to get the next upgrade that does. Or I'll "borrow" a friend's copy. However, that company won't get another dime out of me again. I know we do have legal recourse, but organizing a class action suit and seeing it through is almost impossibe (see Microsoft). I feel guilty about the last paragraph. I'd like to be noble and say I just wouldn't buy from them again. However, comanies that get away with that kind of thing will keep on doing it, and others will be screwed. Better that they do go bankrupt and maybe someone with a better ethical sense will buy them. These are all "what if's". I don't have any pirated or illegal software on my machine. No one has made me quite that mad yet (although CL has come damn close).