The result is a shame, though. One of the strengths of EN World is its breadth of knowledge and I think we lose some of our best experts when they feel they cannot post rather than risk becoming embroiled in a thread where some will troll or use rhetorical fallacies to push agendas and shut down useful discussion.
Actually, for me its just a way for me to keep from dealing with the same stuff I deal with professionally.
If someone asked me something directly, I'd respond.
However, most of the piracy threads simply rehash the same positions that get espoused in courts. Its simply not productive or healthy for me to participate.
Besides, there are a fair number of IP experts on this site, representing a broad spectrum of positions on the subject. I'm a bit more pro-IP creator than some, since...well...my clients are IP creators.
If I were in Court, I'd cite a case and hand over a copy of the case or law or whatever...but not all of that stuff is available online, at least not for free. And if you can't provide an online cite, those contra your position won't believe you. Even if its settled law.
So, instead of beating my head against the wall, I opt out.
...and opt
INTO helping people do conversions, come up with creative PCs, refine nifty campaign ideas and so forth. Very fun, very theraputic.