I had an EA related problem a year ago with Battlefield 2142. I purchased the game, played it once, then it wouldn't recognize the DVD. After some research I came to the conclusion that it was a SecuROM problem. I had to download a pirated version so that I could play a game that I LEGALLY bought.
This Mass Effect issue seems 100x worse. If this is how EA will continue to operate in the future, I see some dark times ahead...