I started the discussion on the forum mailing list because I found a copy of a repository theme that had base64 in it when I was helping on this topic: http://wordpress.org/support/topic/414732?replies=8 I did a quick Google search for the theme he was having a problem with and downloaded it. I soon realized that the bad site had only switched 2 letters in the theme name and added some spam links in functions.php

This got me going through the decode sticky post and starting finding pirate themes from Woo, Studio Press, and Thesis which is not GPL.

I agree that we shouldn't be offering support for premium themes in the forums but we have an obligation to protect WordPress users. At the same time as Jane Wells stated, we should also not be promoting the use of pirated themes.

Some of the pirate themes in question are not GPL and just as WordPress is firm on the GPL stance it should also respect other licenses by not helping users get around those licenses.

My stance is that we should not be decoding themes for users but we have an obligation to warn them of possible harm and should be educating them on the ethics and dangers involved.