it just seems awfully weird that they're just allowed to respawn and continue about their trade route when they're 'dead'...
well I guess it's a good thing I'm allowed to kill them again.
I don't usually pirate outside of planet, only if I know there are some RM in New Berlin system or BPA somewhere in Cambridge, then I do it to cause a bit of chaos and fun:)
I personally think the PVP rules should apply to traders, even if the trader just switches routes, it's better than him just continuing his route again...
Sidenote: yesterday outside of new berlin, my gunboat was killed by a RM vhf, about 50 NPC, an advanced train, a firefly and a luxury liner. So yes, pirating outside a planet WILL get you vaporised:P
