[jasonbirder]

hacking the il2 code is against oleg will and is damaging to his company, so it is theft

Just because Oleg is opposed to something..it doesn't follow that it is theft - how can it be when nothing has been stolen? Use of any of the Mods requires a legitimately purchased copy of IL2 1946, anyone utilising the mods has already benefited Oleg by purchasing his game...How is it damaging his company? Most people that consider purchasing the game will know nothing about any potential Mods (particularly as no mention of them is currently allowed at the Official Forum) and any that do will consider it completely normal - every single other combat flight simulation in existance has an active modding community.

- the whole file hack issue is diverting resources from the work on BoB, adding delays to the BoB release

It has already been categorically stated that there will be no further encryption added to the game and that no resources are being diverted away from the development of BOB-SOW

- using the hacked files online is to get an unfair advantage, so it is cheating

Cheating Online is nothing to do with the existance of community created third party mods, that have been designed to add new features and enhanced immersion to the IL2 game, it has everything to do with Onliners that will do anything to gain an advantage in a stat-driven "win at all costs" environment. Cheating and gamesmanship has existed long before the release of the Sound Mod.

the open access to hacked il2 files is reducing il2 sales, so it is stealing money from oleg when he needs it the most to develop BoB

How is it reducing sales? IL2 1946 is pretty much over from a sales point of view...when did anyone last see a copy in the stores...much less see one being bought? And besides do you seriously believe that someone who doesn't currently own IL2 but is going to will think..."I'd better not purchase this game, there are un-official community created Mods in circulation"