Just to be clear, I think forum members in this specific topic are a little bit confused, or maybe I am.
The ad that we are talking about in this specific topic is not the same as other ads in the past.
Yes, all are ads, and I am sure you have seen ads from other security tools, non-security tools, other computer-related products, other products not related to computers, ads displayed in your computer screen, ads displayed in your TV screen, and other ads in other media.
Probably the difference is that Avast is not "nagging" the user "all the time", nor "every update" ("as seen on TV"). So, Avast is a business, and Avast Software makes decisions about advertisements and how to try to improve its income and gains.
If this topic is going to question "every" ad of "any" type Avast has "ever" shown, then what's the point? Yes, Avast is apparently showing more ads than in the past. Probably no user of the Free edition likes this. I don't like it. But please try to contribute with some idea, instead of simply complaining because, say, "3 ads in a month, and this was different in the past".
I don't like it either, and it seems like Avast Software is going to keep doing it more and more (and, still, lets hope not).
My first post in this topic was about separating the ads, offers, campaigns and alike, from the normal or usual program update process. That's a useful contribution (whether you agree or not). I have no control about it, and only and just complaining won't solve anything.
Of course, this is my opinion, and evidently anyone / evreyone is free to keep posting whatever opinions or comments, as long as it "plays nice" with rules of netiquette.
@hayc59,
I don't understand why you are mixing the validity of your specific license with the 15 day trial. If a user using the Free edition chooses to try it, after 15 days such user needs to either pay for it or go back to the Free edition. Other than that, I don't know of "months" of validity for the trial.