What Adobe seems to be doing is smart.  And while this idea can't be
applied to every situation, I'll bet some could adopt it.
 
    Adobe seems to have come up with a reasonable mix of copy protection and
ease of use.  A licensed user must enter a unique registration code when they
first install an Adobe product.  This same code is again entered with each
subsequent upgrade.
 
    Of course the down side for Adobe is that if someone steals one of these
codes, this person can then purchase a lower cost upgrade package and use the
purloined registration code to allow the software to function.
 
    But now Adobe is selling at least one upgrade (for Photoshop) with the idea
that the customer can obtain a rebate on part of the purchase price
 
    I have ordered but have yet to receive my Photoshop 5.5 upgrade package. 
I'm guessing that to qualify for Adobe's rebate I'll have to include my
original unique registration number (if they don't require this number, they're
not as smart as I thought).  If two or more rebates come in with the same
registration number, they'll know that they have a problem and they can take
appropriate steps to deal with the situation.
 
    This allows legit customers to purchase upgrades for a reasonable price,
and it allows Adobe to get at least some additional compensation out of those
people who never purchased the original package.
 
    Yup, rebates bite.  But in this context they might be a good idea.
 
    -Rick