Conversely I know a number of music software (VST) developers who simply gave up because piracy nuked their income.

There are specific niches and specific relationship models where piracy won't do this. But there are far more where it will.

Ultimately it comes down to the ridiculous notion that because cost-of-copying is effectively zero then so is product value.

This handily ignores the hours/days/weeks/years of development effort that can go into a product, and the use value - which may translate into income - that it offers users.

As a creator you certainly have the option to decide on the relationship model you want with your customers. Piracy removes that right.