Yes, I play SOF 2 also, and if you're not an "old school" player, you don't get a guid of your own. And that's just sad. I hope you can find a way around this. Ebay might be an option, but then again, the odds of finding a bad key on a game you purchase on ebay are awful high also.
As far as the link, unfortunatly nothing can be done about that. Activision just stopped giving a s*#t about the game so everyone's hands are tied on that.
Again, check Ebay and ask the seller questions if you find one.
Good luck SaSuKe.