I will agree that the system as a whole has become horribly skewed. It used to be that the author of a work was viewed as the "producer" and the publisher was just distribution. The publisher "worked for" the author in effect. That has got turned around now and the publisher is producing and the author has become in effect merely a raw material. The publsiher controls the access to the market and so the author becomes dependant on them and thus sells their rights for a bowl of porridge.
The internet offers the possibility of once again allowing the author direct access to the market. This is a good thing. No doubt is scares the crud out of the current publishing power structure.
What needs to happen is for forward thinking artists to deal directly with Napster, or Napster like technology and regain control over what they do. But the technology needs responsible limits as well so that it cannot be used to distribute works of artists that do not wish them to.
And yes, copyrights need to be limited. But violation of those copyrights cannot be tolerated or excused.
I read that link Baron. Pretty good article actually. It made me think, although I can't say he convinced me on everyhting. It always amuses me when people in a disagreement over constitutional issues talk of the intent of the founding fathers. As if the founding fathers were a single entity that was consistant and unanimous in every opinion. For every belief that one can find the support of Jefferson for, I can find an equally elloquent and contrary opinion among another founder, usually Hamilton. (History buffs are chuckling now. I am such a nerd.

) The fact is they were men from all walks of life like us. And they disagreed, sometimes very strongly over issues. Almost every sentance in the constitution and bill of rights was disagreed with by at least one of the founding fathers. But they debated, and compromised, and came up with a document that was at once general and specific, both rigid and flexible, both fixed and changeable. Quite an accomplishment actually.
Geoschmo