hi weeblz,
I think there is misunderstanding here.
First, our plugin will not do anything without an API key. Even the free version, we still require to have API key to work. Second, we are by no mean keep pinging users for upgrade that is not what we will do. All we have is one alert box for upgrade to paid version and if you close it, it never shows up again. The other alert is about the version upgrade for the plugin. We are currently in the middle of rolling a set of features and bug fixes so it could be that reason u may see a set of upgrade alert. However, this alert is not asking you to upgrade to paid version but telling you that a wordpress upgrade is available. If you see alert that is telling u to pay, please let us know and it must be a bug rather than our intention.
ray