You can "own" a copy of Adobe's software (like earlier Creative Suite DVD versions) but then Adobe essentially bricked them by killing the activation server.
Interesting. I just installed a copy of CS4 Design Premium and InDesign CS5.5 without issue. Looks like CS5+ still has live activation servers, and CS4 didn't seem to care that its were gone.
"CREATIVE SUITE 2, 3, AND 4
You can no longer reinstall Creative Suite 2, 3 or 4 even if you have the original installation disks. The aging activation servers for those apps had to be retired. "
I know, I read that too. And I also have an official boxed copy of CS4 Design Premium that I installed from the DVDs, which loads and works without issue. Weird!
I don't think I tried with anything older than CS5 stuff, but blocking the program in the firewall and putting in any valid CD key (people posted them online) worked flawlessly.
I assume it worked this way so people with airgapped machines could still be sold the software.
An activation-free version of CS3 was available for about a year after the activation shutdown. You had to create an Adobe account, provide your original serial number, and get a new offline installer and new offline serial number to use with it.
Source: have Offline CS3 Master Collection and use PS CS3 daily to clean up my flatbed scans https://i.imgur.com/8tS8ced.png
I recall they used to have a free Photoshop CS2 download on their site with the activation removed. Strictly for existing license owners of course, but anyone could download it ;-)
This is honestly why I advocate for pirating software.
I purchased it once. So long as I don't make copies and send it to people I should be allowed to use it no matter what.
If the distributor no longer provides the software, or does not allow activation, I should be allowed to use any and all means to make it usable.
Any software that is no longer sold, should be free for anyone to get, by any means, regardless of prior legality.
Reminds me of an issue I had recently with Milkshape 3D. I needed to re-acquire some old 3D models out of an old game. But their service does not appear to work anymore.
