It’s not like it’s blocking the badge from functioning unless you pay. It doesn’t even pop up unless you specifically go looking for it. It seems perfectly in line with the ‘shareware’ and ‘buy me a cup of coffee’ spirit that characterized the early years.
Generally you dont make secret shareware out of software you make for other people.
Just imagine what would happen if you created a shareware scene in the software of some company you work for. You would get fired (and possibly sued) so fast it would make your head spin.
My understanding is that Dmitry was a volunteer. IMO that makes the "shareware" more reasonable than if he were an employee writing the code on the clock(and it doesn't seem like he was soliciting money for himself)
