You kind of answered your own question -- it's not about the getting caught (in my opinion), it's about the ethics of the author getting compensated for their work.
- try emailing the author directly, asking for a pdf/zip file in exchange for paypal payment. sometimes they can't because of their publisher, but they're often happy to.
- download the content through whatever means are most convenient for you, and paypal the author/mail the author a check. My money has never been returned :)
- download the content through whatever means are most convenient for you, and paypal the author/mail the author a check. My money has never been returned :)