Buying: Photoshop CS5 Extended Upgrade

[ictponder]

When buying the upgrade version of CS5 Extended does it matter if the existing version is pirated? I am thinking about buying from Newegg but it's upgrade only and my currently installed CS4 might possibly be a pirated version but can't say for sure.

[sketch]

probably. it will likely see that your key is fake/used elsewhere.

[ictponder]

I'm wondering if I could try and activate the key while offline but Adobe checks the keys from their server IIRC. I dunno, I really want to buy it but want it to work too lol. I can't afford the $900 retail version.

I'm also trying to search if using a student version for a retail business is illegal. I'd like to use it to make advertisements for our LED and product merchandising but not if its going to get us in trouble.

[sketch]

I'm also trying to search if using a student version for a retail business is illegal.

yes, it is. student versions are for academic use only. using it at a retail business is breaking the license agreement and illegal.