I dont think that loading a legal copy is going to change your games. But Im not sure if thats going to be a good thing or a bad thing.
The protection seems tied entirely to the key.
On the other hand, most of the games "thinking" it tied to the fthrland file which is created in the first turn.
Replacing the key file with a good one might make things better.
But the games you are already playing may have already decided to punish you and that might be hard-coded into the game you are playing.
Im sorry that isnt much help but its not a part of the game Ive tested
In any case, the new games you start should work MUCH better.