There are two different aspects to this in my view.
1. Gallery users who re-upload the creations of others: I personally don't do it. I regularly backup my tray folder, so I do not feel like I am in danger of losing anything. Some users do it though to backup files or for easy sharing with other devices and that is a legitimate use of the gallery. Some do it for download numbers, I guess, and that is just sad/silly/childish (take your pick).
2. #dontsteal: There is no stealing; there is nothing to gain and nothing to lose. No crime has been commited and no actual harm is being done.
An example of actual theft does exist in simming history, when a "gaming" company downloaded a bunch of original cc creations and sold them. This was back in TS days. (It was called That's Life and LGR made an excellent "review" about this "add-on".) This was stealing because it was original content created by modders and the company was making money selling stolen creations. Unlike the intangible gain of enhancing your prestige in the simming community, you can actually spend money. Not only on cars and boats but things that matter: shelter, nutrition, healthcare, safety, education.
The whole #dontsteal movement on the gallery seems a bit trivial to me and I understand why the outrage confuses players like OP. I don't understand it either.
