Yes, by implementing new features at a reasonable price as fast as possible.

It is just that easy.

Activation makes no sense, because once a patched version is out noone cares about it except the people that have paid for the software. People that are using a patched version won't even notice the activation. So it would have been more than enough to keep it with the serial protection to prevent Joe Sixpack from using an illegal copy. If Joe Sixpack knows where to find a serial, he will be able to find a patch for the activation as well.

I hope, you get my point.