EQ does not allow sharing the software with a friend. That would be software piracy. Their user agreement states that it can be used on only one computer at a time, and can only be used by the person licensed to use the software.
http://electricquilt.com/home/preven...ftware-piracy/
I do have EQ7 and for me it is completely worth the expenditure. I use it for almost every quilt, I play with it, I answer questions with it, I would not like to be without it. I didn't find the learning curve to be very steep, but it does help to go through the lessons included with the software.