I'm sure it's considered the same position :)
Probably, rule of thumb is if the FEN is the same, the position is the same. (except for move counters)
What bugs me, is why three times? Why not draw on the 1st repetition? There is some argument that it is a time saving device for people in time trouble, but is that a valid reason?
This is not an important theoretical question, and I doubt it will ever come up in a game. But still I wonder...
A draw by 3-fold repitition requires that the same exact position occur three times, including side to move, and castling/en passant oppportunities. My question is about what else is required to be considered the "same exact position."
For example, what if the same position occurs, except White's two knights have swapped squares? Is one knight considered a different piece from the other?
I'm guessing most people would consider them equal for the purposes of this rule, but I can also imagine an argument over it if a big tournament win hung in the balance.