I believe statements regarding the legalities of selling used software were simplistic, incomplete and thereby misleading. Software companies vigorously defend their products and copyrights. In April, for example, Microsoft sued 15 Florida companies, accusing them of illegally selling versions of its software. If resales were a problem, I'm sure those software companies would go after those who sell used software as well. Product upgrades and their costs have long been a sore point with consumers.
Consumers have other choices, too.
They can, as you suggest, keep the older versions and let them collect dust, or donate them to a charitable organization or school. Hackers are not just computer breakers. It's a cyberculture that happens on- and offline. In this case, the writer is referring to the coverage of the recent Melissa virus. A hacker was blamed for the virus.