If you’re gaining a copy of the material without paying that’s theft. There’s nothing false in the dilemma. That idea that you wouldn’t obtain if it wasn’t free does not change the fact that obtaining without paying is theft. The content provider loses copy control.
Of course it does. 'Theft' and 'stealing' are English words that have definitions. You can look them up in these books called 'dictionaries.' If there is no loss (i.e., $0.00 damages) then there is also no theft in any meaningful sense.
The content provider loses copy control.
OK. And it may be that they have had their Constitutionally-recognized "Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries" violated. That's serious enough without using inflammatory, inaccurate language about "stealing."
Personally, I'm of the opinion that if someone wants to exercise "copy control" they shouldn't distribute any copies.