, a single-use serial code is automatically registered to your EA account. This link acts as your permanent digital license.
: Iconic usernames like "POPCAP" or "Keith Gray" became famous in the community because they were supposedly hard-coded into widely circulated serial keys. The Scribd Archives
A registration key is a unique code required to activate and register a copy of the game, allowing users to access the full game features and content. The registration key is typically provided by the game developer or publisher and is used to verify the authenticity of the game copy.
When you purchase the game from these official sources, a digital "CD key" or activation code is typically linked directly to your account.