NFS Carbon Patch... already

Just in from EA:

"There is a patch in development that will be necessary for online play on the PC, beginning with it’s release. Soon after its release, if you attempt to play online without having this patch installed you will access a "ENTER CD KEY" screen that you will not be able to circumvent. In order to pass this screen you will need to install the patch and re-enter your CD Key."

We'll post some news as soon as the patch is released.

UPDATE: I asked about the ETA of the patch, and looks like it should probably be out this weekend or Monday at the latest.