[Adje]

Just to be clear. Piracy isn't the same as theft.

You are a thief if you actually steal something. As in take it away from a person.

Piracy is getting a copy that's shared by someone (who most likely has the hard copy). But even if the person sharing hasn't got the original it's still not the same as stealing. Making/dpwnloading a copy and not buying IS NOT stealing.

Going into a store and take the CD whitpout paying for it, now that's stealing.

I read somewhere in this topic someone comparing it with a burglar taking away a vcr and stuff. That's a really silly example as one has nothing to do with the other.

As for the legal issues. And I'm sure evilnickname knows the ins and outs here, but as far as I know it's legal in the Netherlands to download any content. It's however illegal to share it. Or at least that's how it's been a year or so ago.