Uhmmmmmm......after reading all the responses here I have come up with this:
Many people would prefer only the patterns they want and not an entire magazine....so maybe this is where this tearing out of patterns came from. So what if the seller makes a bit more money this way. They are filling a need for certain customers.
Many people would prefer the entire magazine. So look for an entire magazine and your need will be met.
There are options for everyone and their particular desire. I believe that if they are sending the original pattern from the magazine and not a copy then they are withing the law in doing so. As said before it is the copying that takes one into those murky waters and illegal activity.