With regard to the masses not caring: the only thing that their ignorance will get them is a bunch of problems, somewhere down the line, as pdurrant already says.
As for me: I don't care about buying or licensing. After I pay for something, it's mine. In case of a book, or ebook, then I own the paper or the file. In case of software, I own the CD or downloaded file. I know I don't own the content or the source code, but I own the right to use the product. And use it I will, as long as I see fit; 2 days, 5 years or 20 years. If I can't make sure of that with a product, for example with some Ubisoft games that need permanent online authentication (server gone == game unplayable), then I will never buy it.
The only exception would be software I intend to replace in 5-6 years anyway (or even sooner), after it's official support ends and it becomes too old to be useful, such as an operating system.
Edit: I know I can't ever be 100% sure, because old software may not run on new operating systems... Luckily I have a permanently activated (legal) Windows XP that runs all my 1995-2001 games perfectly in a virtual machine, should I ever want to play them on an OS that doesn't support them
