oh god i hope this doesnt happen to me

To lend a machete to your mental thicket, Your key has probably been pirated by one entrepreneurial soul or another, you may need to contact data for a new key.

Actually I think cortex command just unregistered itself.
It has a habit of doing that.

Bugger, I just had this exact same problem.
I haven't uninstalled CC or anything stupid.

Should I just Email Data?

EDIT: It just doesn't remain registered if it starts up offline.
I just restart CC when this happens.

Another answer is that this game doesn't work offline

If the game can't contact the authentication server it considers itself unregistered.

I've noticed this too, is there a way to get rid of this and have it registered all the time.
Games without internet Functions should not need the internet for you to play it.
I understand the need for copy protection but when that protection punishes those who buy and support the product while a pirated copy will skip over these steps it leaves less incentive for people to buy it legit.

IT'S ALREADY BEING FIXED.

Good lord, the game has had registration keys for two builds. Data isn't out to scam anyone; if your key ceases to function, or you lock it out, he's happy to help you out. There are some problems. B21 FIXES THOSE PROBLEMS.