One may purchase and use machinery and software that is patented or contains patented items within it. The purchase of the machine does not transfer rights of the patent holder(s) to you, to permit you to copy and resell their ideas without royalties becoming due. Most of us could probably understand the legitimacy of this argument.
But mere ideas, words and music seem more tenuous. Once released, they are out and available. Copyright is meant to protect those concepts. Because we are civilized, we agree to the principle of copyright just as much as we respect the physical property (possessions) of others. We all want 'done unto us as we do unto others', this is the underlying principle of copyright.
The modern notion of this computer age, that 'they're way overcharging for this stuff anyway so I'm going to take it because I'm not a sucker and its so easy to do, I have a perfect alibi' is akin to lawlessness. There is no need to argue whether it is inherently alright to do or not, by convention we agree that it is not alright to take what we want. That is right, all that stops us, is our word, our agreement to act harmoniously within civilized society.
Theft of ideas does not enhance the economy. If someone is overcharging for their product or service, then someone else will come along who will do it for a bit less, until the costs are really pared down to the bone. This has happened with groceries, iron, cars, computers, cnc machines and software.
I also think knowledge is power, so if you personally have the know-how to activate certain circuits in the hardware that you own, then go right ahead. If you are capable of logic testing in circuits, then you can actually trace 'why' your extended memory is not working, and you could actually bypass the 'non-functional transistor'. Would it be alright to disseminate this information? Not likely, on principle, if the manufacturer is still supporting the product. However, you have a right to your livelihood, and if it were to become impossible to run the machine without hacking it, then it is entirely within your prerogative to fix it in whatever way you are able.
I think the bigger question is how much do we value civilized behaviour? How much are we blinded by our own lusts, so that whatever we see is what we think we must have? When society degrades to the point where we've got to pack guns to protect what little we've got, then I'm thinking the long term results of widespread theft is too heavy of a burden to bear for the short term relief of 'getting what we've lusted for' on the cheap.
So let's not be pushing the boundaries of 'acceptable theft', for it takes little imagination to see where that leads.
I hereby relinquish the soap box/pulpit
First you get good, then you get fast. Then grouchiness sets in.
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)