I think this essay asks important questions, but one thing you might want to consider is the impact of the copyright regime on people other than songwriters and performers. That's not the question this essay asks, but it may be worth touching on briefly. Conventional copyright means many people are barred access from music and other data which could otherwise be provided to them at zero marginal cost. The gain to the welfare of others resulting from copyright reform may be worth noting, because I think an important impetus behind copyright reform is the overall social benefits it brings.

-- DevinMcDougall - 29 Oct 2012