I use pirate games, shame on me.
But I use them to find out if I want a game or not. I spend a lot on games every month, and it's good to test them before I buy. Nowadays, if I start playing a game and really like it, I stop playing the pirated version and buy an original copy of the game. Simple as that.
But I don't blame people from my country who only use pirates, somehow... most game companies don't give a DAMN to our country, and you only find console games for... what? 200, 250 reais? That's something around 110~150 dollars. Would you pay that on a console game? Yeah. I only buy original games 'cause I import them, or buy them over digital distribution sites like GOG.com and Steam.
PC games are the same price as in the US, something around 50~60 dollars. And what I like about PC games is that I can buy some games at a decent price, like here at GOG.com, and buying classic bundles like starcraft and warcraft III for something like 10~15 dollars.

There are cracks that easily let you bypass the software limiting installs and I don't think there is enough people stupid enough to buy the game twice so that Spore will retain it's $50 till Christmas. If what you are saying is actually the case, then we have truly underestimated how stupid people can be.
In a way, limited installs actually do work. Before, you could just install it at your friends house and then get a no CD crack. Now, you won't want to give your friend an install so your friend has to wait the two hours to download the game. Ingenious!

"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity." - Robert A. Heinlein
Never were truer words spoken.