"We could not check" is not "you have not paid"

checkEntitlement returns three values, and unknown answers 409 unverified without touching any counter.

Collapsing it into false metered a paying subscriber against a LIFETIME free allowance they spent months ago and then sold them the plan they already owned.

See .context/ops/incidents/2026-09-22-entitlement-lockout.md and unverified.