Ask YC: Do you love or hate software piracy?

There are 2 sides:

Side-1 says that piracy can have its benefits over the long run. Because people will get used to using the pirated s/w and over time those using pirated software will eventually convert to licensed software. Pirated s/w also creates brand awareness and popularity of the s/w. Microsoft would not have become popular giant if there was no piracy as their s/w are expensive to begin with (especially in 3rd world countries). BRIC countries has the biggest pirated s/w users, but at the same time today they are the biggest market for legal s/w, if people didn't had an option to use pirated s/w then they wouldn't be knowing about that particular s/w, hence no revenue for that s/w company.

Side-2 says that stopping piracy will generate an additional tens of thousands of new jobs, billions in economic growth, and millions in tax revenues for each country. (though no one explains how and from where these numbers came from).

What's your take???????