I've bought the previous 3 Simcity games because I love the casual experimenting I can do with it, but when I first heard about the always online requirement I decide not to buy it, nor get a "liberated" copy.
I've bought games while running the pirated versions so I'd not be bothered by always use CD in tray, etc., but something like that I find less offensive than EA's scheme.
It's a shame that Simcity 4 will probably be the last version I'll play...