I think that's what they already do, isn't it? Check your serial when you get an update?

The fact remains that no matter what software companies do, someone always builds a better mousetrap. It sucks, but that's the way it is. I do NOT see a company (that wants to stay in business) purposefully breaking the software they sell you just to get you to the website for an update. Most will just make the software internet aware, which a lot already do. Even then, the crackers find a way to get around it. All we can do as consumers is support the software that we love and use.

For what it's worth, I doubt HIGHLY that software piracy is even a fraction of the reason for the recession. cough