It is not our, nor our governments job to protect anyone's revenue stream. Our economy is rapidly changing in a way that has never happened before, the sooner everyone learns to embrace the changes, be flexable and adaptable, the sooner we can actually make progress. Only very recently has ANYONE actually tried to make a serious effort with a new business model reflecting our new economy.
http://www.apple.com/music/store/ They sold 100,000 songs in the first 24 hours. Hmmm, maybe people are willing to pay a reasonable amount of money for a reasonable service. Normal CD sales give maybe $1 to the actual artist, where do you think the rest of that money goes? I, for one, don't see the need to line the RIAA/MPAA pockets with my money. I'll download the music and if I like it enough, I'll support them by going to a show, buying merchandise, etc...
I do hope everyone realizes that this "piracy hurts the artists" crap, is just that. Piracy hurts the RIAA/MPAA. Good, they deserve a slow, agonizing, painfull death.