http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2013/01/why-adobes-massive-photoshop-fail-couldve-been-a-clever-business-move/

I got photoshop cs5 retail awhile ago. Even if I did not I would not download this from what I've read it seems like it would be stealing software. Even if adobe still has the page up for anyone to download it.

just my 2 cents

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01/08/free_adobe_cs2_download/

read the part about mac version...

Ya the whole thing seems a bit odd but I suppose if Adobe says it's not free, then it's not free, no matter how poorly they've chosen to distribute it.  Got everybody talking about Adobe for awhile though didn't they?   (plus a pile of new email addresses)

you realize the original intent of this offer (replacement of already exisiting installations)?

Yes, I can't understand why they couldn't just have generic serials listed...much like TechNet does ...available ONLY IF/WHEN you login with your 'account'.

Publicly accessible serials simply saves people the effort of looking for warez...they can get it from the source.

Either a stupid idea...or some obscure 'clever' marketing ploy.

My money is on the former....hence the preference we don't post links and aid and abet their idiocy....

So you take it upon yourself to protect a multi-million dollar company? Interesting.

No, kona.

Read the edit of the OP.

SD's policy since forever has been to eschew non-licensed software/warez/pirated software.

^^^ ignored.

Just for the heck of it, I went to Adobe's website and did a search for "CS2 free". The first link that pops up is the downloads page with the download links and serials. There is no mention that there are any requirements other than...

CS2 System Requirements 

• Mac OS X v.10.2.8–v.10.3.8. PowerPC® G4 or G5 processor
• Microsoft® Windows® 2000/Windows XP. Intel® Pentium® III or 4 processor

No where does it state that this is only for prior customers that already own a copy of said software.

Since I already own CS5, the files are of no intrest to me. I do however find all of this very interesting and will be checking to see if Adobe changes their mind on having this avalable to the general public, even without signing in. 

I did the same, Mike. It led me to the download page... 

I'm surprised that Adobe hasn't made an Official statement regarding this question. 

The link that I got going to Adobe.com did, however, have "entitlement" in it...

It is also true that Gizmodo.uk published this:

I went there too and I found a host of Adobe stuff listed together with the serial #'s. I decided to try for PS Elements 4.0/5.0

Now if I could only get this dl to speed up a little bit before Adobe changes its mind. lol

Zagg.com has quoted an Adobe manager here: 

http://www.zagg.com/community/blog/is-adobe-really-giving-away-photoshop-cs2-for-free-yes-and-no/

As I posted in the edited OP, 

"To make a long, convoluted story short:

Yes: you can get a working copy of the entire Creative Suite 2 (CS2), directly from Adobe.
No: That version doesn’t officially and legitimately belong to you, unless you already have a CS2 license.

So, whether you decide to download and install it is entirely up to you. As always, we aren’t advocating you steal or pirate any software."

Thus, deleting the links here was completely consistent with SD's policies.

I'd hope people would take it upon themselves to protect anyone's IP rights, trademarks (and other) of anyone else, because it's the right thing to do, not because we're privy to their net-worth documents. ♥