If you are using the key from the sticker in the DVD box, that's it. It should be entered exactly as it is printed, dashes/spaces and all.

If you did previously register to download the older patches on the website, you may have done so on a different email address/account. In that case, you'll want to contact support@stardock.com about merging your games onto one account.

I was trying a number of things, and did an "update serial" from the splash menu for SOSE, and somehow that transferred to the Impulse screen, but identified the DVD key as "invalid".   So I am still stuck and still can not update SOSE.

I have complete proof of purchase from receipt, to the original DVD, and manual.   Boxes I typically throw away however, and if I can't transfer the sticker with the key on it, I transcribe it to the manual, which I apparently did in this case.   

Is there any way I can get these things to you so I can resolve this registration issue?

I did try it again, still calling it "invalid".    I normally transcribe the alphanumeric key or serial number from the box to the manual since I don't keep the boxes usually, and at the time of the transcription I separated the numbers by dashes, but I can't remember if I did that because that was how it was printed or simply to make it easier to double check as I transcribed it.   Could format issues like that be causing the problem?

If it is a transcription problem, as mentioned before, I still have the original receipt, DVD, and manual, so let me know what is needed.

ADDENDUM: I just tried re-entering the serial via the game panel (yet again) and it doesn't let me enter it without dash separators, so I had it right to begin with, but Impulse is still calling it "Invalid".   Is is possible the game panel is expecting one format, and Impulse another?

I also have to change those free mail addresses all the time after registering them with games like this because they end up getting spammed up and unusable afterwards from such tight privacy control u guys have.