Colin is (one member amongst 4000+) simply protecting the financial interest of his employer.
Not quite correct as I work for MyHobbyStore in a freelance capacity and don't consider myself as an employee as such. However, my comments were prompted by the wider context. Working for MHS and doing interviews with many of the model boating traders has brought home to me just how little money there really is in the commercial side of this hobby. MHS is not a big company, Model Boats is produced by one and a half staff and I'm sure that a similar situation applies to Marine Modelling as well. Most of our well known traders are 'cottage industries' or small family businesses and can be significantly affected by outsiders ripping them off. Obviously Dave doesn't fall into that category but we have had examples where traders have been targeted by people producing counterfeit hulls etc.
A plan may be included free with a magazine issue but it has cost money to commission and produce and so it is usually added subsequently to the Plans Service to hopefully bring in a bit of future income. Traders, including MHS, are in business to make a profit after all. Realistically, I don't think anyone is going to be much concerned if you copy something to help out a mate in a particular circumstance or reproduce a 30 year old article. It's when you start advertising in bulk on Ebay etc. that the problems start.
It's in all our interests not to undermine the commercial side of the hobby which is just comprised of people trying to make a living. Otherwise there would be no magazines, reasonably priced hulls and electronic gear etc.
As in all things, moderation should be the keyword.
Colin