Gah, publisher, creator, keys, licences, source, whatever.

I want to make 3D models and animations, using an unrestricted blender, then I want to distribute my creations freely. I somehow managed to get an old version for windows off some magazine CD, but now I've come for the latest windows and linux versions there's loads more options, where do I go?

Right here.

http://www.blender.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Downloads&file=index&req=viewdownload&cid=2

Download the Blender version for your OS along with the license key file to unlock the options that you used to have to pay for.

As far as I know, you can distribute your creations with it freely.