Just because lots of individuals and companies abuse "free" and "open", doesn't mean it's morally ok.

It doesn't say "FREE DOWNLOAD", it says "open-e DSS-lite 2TB FREE" and "offer expires" not "gift not usable after" January 31st.

There has always been a DEMO version and that didn't cost money either.

Open-E may not have been perfectly advised when they put this up on their web site. The "unexpected volume of interest" shows, they misjudged what would happen. If this FREE offer turns into DEMO only, the PR backlash may be bigger than expected again.

Open-E is in the crosshairs for not reading the GPL careful enough, they don't need to enlarge their target size.

Just my humble opinion...