i found a website that gives installer for cortex command and it seems to activate it with a key and email. when i update to build 23 it was also activated. I found the first activated bit when googling "cortex command demo"
and then i found a link on the website that gave me the installer for build23 when i updated it to build 23 it was activated. i did not know that there was a timer on the demo until a friend who had tried the demo and bought the game asked me why there wasn't a timer. I've disabled it so i have to purchase now but i still have the key for whatever reason
if a Dev or someone wants it for some reason i can pm it to them. i can also give a link to the website that has the installer if wanted.

There are cracked copies of Cortex floating around, but they are several versions old and potentially virus-ridden, so be careful with them.

Last I knew, Data didn't bother to go after crackers for his game, since trying to fight them is like playing whack-a-mole.

However, if you happen to be able to comment on the download or anything, if you would ask them to please take the download down (politely), that would be nice.

i dunno how i can comment on the download site, but the build is build 23 which is just 3 builds back and the email account associated with the client has cortexcommand or datarealms or somerthing, i cant remember which it was

Haven't you heard? B23 is free nowadays, legally free.
It can be registered with an email provided by DataRealms.