While it's possible that he did it for clout or as a FU to software companies, I think many people, including myself, pirated software in the early days of computing because the software itself was rare and cool. There were no demos back then to try software before you buy, and many people used software like Photoshop, Flash, 3D Max, etc for personal projects that made no profit. Even today, it's hard to justify paying $600 for a program that you aren't sure you actually like just to hopefully create some cool stuff to show your friends.
As for the "people that actually write software", I couldn't care less. It's been shown over and over that piracy never made the effect on thier bottom line that large software companies led many to believe. Simply put, people didn't buy these things because they considered them overpriced luxuries for simple hobbyists. The only choice was to pirate the software, or to never get to use it. As someone who writes software myself, I have no sympathy for people who want harsh punishments for someone who steals their stupid little program. Sure you put hard work into it, but so did a lot of people who offer their software for free. Generally, my thought is that these people are more upset that their software failed to make the impact that they thought it would or failed to generate the profit that they had dreamed of. Piracy was never at fault for either of those. They need to cope
I sell software, I wouldn't do it if I couldn't retain ownership of it.
I don't care how much work I put into it, I don't care how much money its worth. I don't care about its impact.
I create because it's mine and I control it. The hands that built it decide what happens to it.
I could paint the prettiest picture and then burn it forever and nobody has any right to stop me, no matter how many poor hobbiest art admirers wanted to see it.
As for the "people that actually write software", I couldn't care less. It's been shown over and over that piracy never made the effect on thier bottom line that large software companies led many to believe. Simply put, people didn't buy these things because they considered them overpriced luxuries for simple hobbyists. The only choice was to pirate the software, or to never get to use it. As someone who writes software myself, I have no sympathy for people who want harsh punishments for someone who steals their stupid little program. Sure you put hard work into it, but so did a lot of people who offer their software for free. Generally, my thought is that these people are more upset that their software failed to make the impact that they thought it would or failed to generate the profit that they had dreamed of. Piracy was never at fault for either of those. They need to cope