However, the ethical landscape is complicated by the fate of the developer. Cerious Software has been largely silent in recent years. The official website remains, but updates are scarce, and the newer versions of ThumbsPlus have struggled to keep pace with modern operating system architectures. This moves the search for registration codes into the realm of "abandonware." When a developer ceases to support a product, users often feel morally justified in seeking cracks or codes to keep the software running. The argument is that if the vendor cannot provide support or a viable path to purchase, the social contract of copyright has been breached. The user isn't stealing a sale; they are preserving a tool that has been left behind by its creator.

Many users remember the "good old days" of shareware (version 7, 8, or 9) where codes were widely shared. They want the power of ThumbsPlus without the $79.95 price tag.