Online passes are not very kind to video game consumers. Not only do you have to pay extra to play the online features but some online passes even have expiry dates.
A user on NeoGAF posted on the forums that he bought a new copy of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit saying his code was invalid. The user then wanted to ask if Online Passes do have expiry dates.
An EA representative responded:
“EA’s Online Pass can indeed expire for some new games, blocking buyers out of online content until they download a new pass or attain one from EA directly, EA confirmed to Joystiq. As a rule, no Online Pass should expire, but a few titles will have a time limit on their use, even for new purchases, EA said. Dragon Age 2, for example, has an Online Pass that expires on March 31, 2012, according to EA’s EULA description. Re-downloading or getting a new Pass is free.”
Even though you have bought a new copy of a game, it appears as if you will need to buy the game within a year it has been released. If not, the online pass will expire.
Source: Destructoid