[HELP] Option validation (like DBTech)

[Dr.CustUmz]

im trying to create something similar to the dbtech products where they have a validation code in their products for the copyright, its just a nifty feature i would like to include in my paid products.

MAIN QUESTIONS:
1.how can i get :Skeleton|Key: to work?
2.how can i get it to not display the error when entering the valid code.
3.how can i make my products generate a random ############ per user inside the file, when they download the file.

im trying to achieve this by reverse engineering one of their products.
im at stage one of this and have not modified anything else in the product only have played with this part of the code.
the setting is as follows:

<setting varname="dbtech_autodiscuss_branding_free" displayorder="40">
<datatype>free</datatype>
<validationcode><![CDATA[return ($data == ':Skeleton|Key:' OR !$data);]]></validationcode>
</setting>

so i see if the option = :Skeleton|Key: OR NOT data than it wont show the copyright.

although when i put in the code to remove the copyright it works BUT it gives me an error saying
You did not enter a valid value for this setting.
thats a vbulletin error msg not from the product.

and thats just a long line of numbers and letters
#######-f#SD##########fj######

although if i enter :Skeleton|Key: i do not receive the error, but the copyright still shows...

the php file part of this looks like
$show['autodiscuss_branding'] = $vbulletin->options['dbtech_autodiscuss_branding_free'] != '#######-f#SD##########fj######';

if ($show['autodiscuss_branding'] AND !$show['_dbtech_branding_override'])
{

_dbtech_branding_override is not located in any of the files, so im not sure where this is coming from.