III.V did not have this type of protection scheme. I went around with them as they changed the requirements for 4 but did not publish it until after I had purchased it. They are convinced this is what everyone wants so it probably is not going to change and I won't be spending any more of my money with them.
BTW, it does not require a usb stick specifically but must be tied to some type of usb device. I have one license on a usb stick and another license tied to my usb babyface audio interface.
There are plenty of other Good Amp Sims out there that does not use this type of license scheme.