I read much of this topic, but didn't finish it all(I read about 3 pages) , and I think I have to tell something.
Here in my Country Jordan, It's diffirent, Some types of Music are banned, such as Death Metal & Black Metal, so some people would go over the Internet and download them, therefore, the Internet sharing tingy will never come to an end In here as long as these types are banned.
I have to admit that the number of poeple doing that in Jordan is less than 1000 people(Including me ), Once I participated in an IRC network in here to serve Mp3's , but in the end we got bored and closed the server. and This RIAA -or whatever it is- it's just a name, you can copy the CD/Tape you want, and some stores already sells the copied CD's to customers, and with price less than $0.5 (While the original might cost you about 25$) , but anyway, some do buy the original cause of the great quality of them, but still most buy they copied ones.
also, I don't know if you discussed this, but P2P programs, such as Kazaa, morphues (Sp?) or WinMX and so many IRC networks, they all also support they users with the lastest Cracks/Serials , and that's the one which should be banned, for example, you can download Windows LongHorn(which is not released yet) from an IRC channel, or Download The $159 Windows XP Pro from the same IRC channel ...
I think they should care more about Programs, and as I read before, Artists does not get money as they get from Concerts or the T-Shirts that has their name on or Posters or anything other than their albums.
and Hey , MetallicA Are Still the Best, but they were better when Jason was around, I just hate Ozzy's X-Bassist (Robert) ...