I think each account gets a Buddy Code they can give to a friend to use for a free trial of the game. Pretty sure that's what I used when I tried (and failed 
) to get my friend into the game.
"You don't lose levels. You don't have equipment to wear out, repair, or lose, or that anyone can steal from you. About the only thing lighter than debt they could do is have an NPC walk by, point and laugh before you can go to the hospital or base." -Memphis_Bill
We will honor the past, and fight to the last, it will be a good way to die...
They haven't given us buddy codes to use in a long time, but they're basically high-end trials that allow you to play/subscribe without having to buy the physical box.
http://www.cityofheroes.com/account/...tructions.html
Wut? this like a cool looking free trail or something?