CS2 - A Great PR Opportunity

Question

I've been a long-time fan of Adobe, although it wasn't always this way. As a Macromedia Studio user, I definitely had some reservations when Adobe first acquired Macromedia.
Luckily my fears proved largely unfounded, and you guys had well and truly won me over by the time CS3 came out.
I upgraded to CS3 and have never regretted it - still use it routinely to this day.
Unfortunately there are people who don't feel this way.
People who may feel Adobe software is too expensive (which even as a fan a sentiment I still share to an extent - there's a reason it's literally YEARS between upgrades for me), or 'over-hyped', or whatever the case may be.
The inadvertant 'mess up' that has occurred with CS2 today has the potential to change all that.
From reading the other threads on the topic, it seems it was never your original intention to release CS2 'free to all' (even though we're still waiting for an 'Official Announcement' from your exec team - so far there have only been individual members of staff making a few comments in this forum), contrary to the initial stories running in most of the world's tech press (some of which have been 'corrected' now, but many of which still carry the original 'error' that CS2 is now free).
However, ADOBE EXECUTIVES I URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER your ORIGINAL intention !!! This could be a great 'PR Opportunity' to change the minds of many of your naysayers who haven't been 'converted' like I was way back in 2007. CS2 is over 7 years old - you can't seriously be making any revenue worth speaking of from this anymore.
Part of the reason *I* became a convert was because of the fantastic upgrade pricing you offered with the release of CS3 (not sure if the upgrades have been quiet as generous in any subsequent release) - and the only thing better than cheap upgrades is free software.
CS2 as I said is over 7 years old, but that doesn't mean it doesn't contain useful software. By releasing it free, you have the potential to massively increase your user base for future versions. If people have the ability to use the older CS2 versions, far from 'sticking' with them and not upgrading, you'll find they will inevitably want to get the more recent versions with the added features. So by releasing it free, you could actually increase your user base for future versions as people who might otherwise never bother to download a trial of the 'current crop' decide to give CS2 a spin because it's 'free' and they're not tied into to making a purchase when the 'trial expires'.
Release CS2 free, and perversely you will drive more people to pay for CS6, CS7 and beyond !
And finally - what a great 'gesture' it would be if you turned around and officially stated, 'OK, it wasn't our intention and it was a mistake originally - but what the heck world, have our 7 year old suite for free. See what you can do with our old tools, then come back and see how much MORE you can do with the new versions. Keep the old ones as long as you like, they've got us where we are today and we're proud of them".
You just cannot 'artificially' generate the MASSIVE goodwill that would cause.
Goodwill as we all know is an 'intangible asset' - so it makes perfect sense.
I hope at least one of the Adobe exec team reads this
Thanks for listening to a long time fan (who wasn't always one).

Answer 1

Dear Adobe Staff & Community Admin,
While you may have intended this for only customers who had purchased this before... removing the license check and replacing with a version using a fixed serial number in the HTML fully available - without login - I really wonder how this can legally be enforced at this point.  Sure, you could shut down the serial with a patch, but the versions are far beyond their SDLC and probably would cost far more to do that than it is now worth.
For example: After the info was passed on to me by another I downloaded it and installed it.  No notice on the link I was given or the page that this required previous purchase or license... just download links and serials.  Not even randomized - fixed in HTML.  Whoever did this must have had approval to do so - you guys are a HUGE corporation!  Now what - we now all have to uninstall or face legal action?  Logistically how could you even prove the difference of someone who has the CD in a box and wanted a digital download copy or a person thinking they just got something awesome from you guys?  What about for us "measly" folks that only need a few things for which CS2 will still go above and beyond our needs?
Respectfully I hope that you guys review what's going on and come out with a public statement... and soon.  Not a forum response, a press release - something that will be seen by more than just people lurking the forums.  What is the story with CS2?  Are you going to enforce the threat that Don said and now put thousands or more at risk of legal action?  PR wise that would be a nightmare... just letting CS2 go at this point not only looks good for you but will probably generate even more interest by users where you may end up with new sales of current products after people get familiar with this one!  Why let this be a lose-lose when it could be a great win-win for both the public and Adobe - and generate great buzz for you in 2013?
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Garwynn (@XDAGarwynn on Twitter)
Note: I myself will remove this if it's no longer - and clearly expressed - as a violation of the EULA to run this copy without proof of previous purchase... but I really again wonder how you can enforce that even with me.  For example, if a user bought it, lost the CD and now thinks they can get it again - how can you verify that person is legit or not?