I believe in the concept that if you create something, you should be able to profit from it. What I take issue with is hoarding ideas and properties (particularly artwork) in a way that prevents others from enjoying them in their own way.

It gets more complicated with art. An artist no longer owns that art once it’s in the public. Sure, they own the original idea and should be able to support themselves with that, but if I want to make a derivative work then there should be no barriers to allowing me to do so.

It’s a hard line to walk, and I’m constantly reevaluating where I think that line is. Right now piracy for me is a way of “test driving” content. If I like it and want to support it, I will purchase it later. This is how I am able to have bookshelves filled with books I’ve actually read, and video games I’ve actually played. The ones I don’t enjoy/buy were never going to get a purchase from me anyhow, so they’ve lost nothing.

I’m not nearly intelligent or well-read enough to know how to apply that to modern copyright laws, but that’s the essence of how I see it.