Today, the makers are putting such activation all over. A phone is now expected to be available.
Bob
Be afraid, be very afraid ...
I've just upgraded from Adobe 6.02 to Pro 1.5, and am having problems with the product activation "feature." After installing the program, activating it, and using it several times, today when I started the program it told me that it had detected a change in my system configuration, and forced me to reactivate. But -- important point -- nothing has changed on my system since the last time I used the program.
I've spoken with customer support, technical support and a supervisor, and the bottom line is: live with it. My problem is that, aside from the nuisance factor, I want to be able to use the program in remote locations, where there may not be a phone line or internet service. If this bug appeared under these circumstances, I'd be hooped. It seems irresponsible of Adobe to implement the activation handcuffs without having first worked out the bugs. Whatever happened to the program asking for the installation cd in order to work?
Bottom line: be careful about moving to the latest and greatest version of Premiere if you're wary of the activation scam.
Anyone know if Premiere 6.5 uses activation? If it doesn't, I wonder if I could pick up a copy somewhere.

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic