I can't imagine there being anyone on HN who reads this poll and thinks "well I am always downloading software/films/etc illegally, but I certainly wouldn't call myself a pirate, so I'll vote no!"
It's not comparable to the abortion idea, because being called a "baby murderer" is pretty offensive, whereas being called a "software pirate" really isn't ever going to offend anyone who does download illegaly (many of which would most likely already refer to themselves as pirates).
Re:Poll: Are you a software pirate?
by theonetruebob on Tuesday July 20, 2010 @03:32PM
(#1533201)
I think that reasoning would be more apt if the question were phrased, "Do you _steal_ software?" or, "Are you a software thief."
No ships are being boarded. No raping, pillaging or murdering is occurring. The fact that people are calling illegal sharing "piracy" speaks volumes about the RIAA, MPAA and BSA's marketing efforts over the past few decades.
Maybe you should rewrite the poll "Do you believe in a free culture unencumbered by copyright laws that are specifically written to protect corporate interests?"
All this goes to show how much our language about copyright has been affected by the media and corporate interests.