So, the two big Digital Distribution companies out there are Steam, and probably Impulse. Everyone knows Steam, but Impulse is done by Stardock, and is more of a complete package than Steam (Impulse has games, but also windows utilities, etc.)

I have games on both, with Steam I have Audiosurf, and a whole host of Valve related crap. With Impulse I have Galactic Civ 2, and Space Rangers 2 Complete.

Here's the problem with both clients: They (generally) do not allow you take a serial number you have for a game and activate it within the program.

I know there are exceptions (both Valve and Impulse allow their own games to do this, as well as Unreal Tournament 2007, for Steam I believe). But here's the case in point:

I have a copy of Red Alert 3: Premier Edition (yes yes, bow down). I have a valid key for it (obviously), and have played it on occasion. Both Steam and Impulse do NOT allow me to activate my game with their programs. Impulse says "You can only activate a key you obtain from Stardock". And Steam just gives me a general error about it.

I have the same issue with Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath. I lost the game disk, but still have the box/serial code. Shouldn't I be able to enter this in somewhere (Steam, Impulse, maybe on EA's crappy site) and be able to download a digital copy?

Maybe this is only an EA problem, but it is still very annoying. I presume game companies know the serial codes for their games, shouldn't they give those codes to these companies and go "Hey, if someone tries actviating their product, on your system, let them?"

Maybe that's just me though.