Actually, and unfortunately, I think that NR Media might prevail and that sucks because I think Nats is a great piece of software and I've heard nothing but good things about the folks over there. I don't know anyone at NR or use their program so I can't comment on those folks...
That said, I think the gun was jumped a bit by coming to the boards and making public certain "issues" when the initial post regarding this drama was posted.
If the two parties had an issue and Nats had a legal right to discontinue access to the admin section - then they should have done so and kept the issue between the two parties private. At this point in time, Nat's software reputation was not under question or the issue public knowledge (that I'm aware of).
Had an affiliate not been paid or stats not updated and such an affiliate posted on the boards because of some "perceived problem" that occured because of the revoked privleges to the admin section, then the issue becomes public and there is a possible interpretation of a Nat's software problem or error and, given the community we do business in, creates a possible reputation issue.
At this point in time, and assuming the above conditions exists, Nats has every right to defend it's software by making a post that says something to the effect of:
"This is not a Nat's software issue. In accordance with section [blah- blah] of our licensing agreement with NR, we have terminated access to the admin section for the NR cash program owners. Such revocation shall remain in force for NR until such time as the issues that caused revocation remain unresolved."
This protects Nat's reputation and doesn't deflame NR. You've said what you did but not why you did it - and you don't owe it to webmasters to explain why you did - that's for NR to explain to its' affiliates. The upside to this approach would have been with their described frame of mind, it may have provoked a less than outright and impeccably honest answer from them and you would have had them on a slander suit too should they taken that approach toward a possible response
I would, if I owned Nat's, and if it doesn't already exist, code in the ability for revoked access program owners, to have just enough privleges to ensure all affiliates get paid if it doesn't already exist.
Best case scenario is for all of you guys to go bobbing for apples and let cooler heads prevail!