not really.... even the patches were developed to handle starforce.... if Larian takes starforce out again (ignoring the legal issues relating to that), there will be new bugs in the game and a lot of new beta testing needed.
Unfortunately its was a choice that doesnt suite everyone's likes, but it is a choice non the less that was made in the almost distant past... i am sure that Larian wont make that same mistake again.
I don't know about the legal issues regarding StarForce and all, but Egosoft recently released a patch for X3: Reunion just to remove the game from needing the CD period, even though the SF drivers will remain on your drive (unless you uninstall them yourself). The newest version of X3: Reunion is now 2.0.02, which also includes the free expansion content in it.
I should also note this -- EgoSoft will soon be releasing for retail stores X3: Reunion Version 2.0, which is the DVD Edition of X3: Reunion (w/ the free expansion content) without StarForce attached on the DVD.
More companies that decided to use that vicious SF protection should do what EgoSoft is doing w/ X3, in regards to dealing w/ SF Copyright Protection and all: eventually release a patch to remove the need of StarForce.