The copies of OS X used in Hackintoshes are nearly always pirated, as in downloaded. Rare is the Hackintosh user who actually goes out and buys OS X, especially since the process of installing OS X on a Hackintosh involves adding component-specific drivers to an ISO image.
I did some research into the Hackintosh thing a few months ago. Seems with the right hardware combo you can install retail Leopard without issue to the point software update works without trashing anything—no warez required.
I’d still rather have a new iMac or MBP myself. Macs just seem to be put together in a superior manner to me and I have built my share of pc’s over the years.