>So what you're saying is that you are ok with copy protection provided it can be bypassed.

No, what I'm saying is companies that are using dongles today are living in the dark ages. I fully support a company's copyrights and enforcing them. What I do not condone is a company treating everyone like criminals and that they will violate the copyright. I've used dongles in the past and found them unreliable and awkward to use on laptops.

Phone home is ok, but there really is no reason to do it other than at install time.

>So software piracy is an overblown issue of the past.

Nope, piracy is worse than ever. But see my comments above.