Now I don't agree with many of the RIAA's tactics like suing grandmothers because their grandkids downloaded songs from the internet, but these guys do have a point.
If no one is paying, why should they produce it? Every company has the right to charge for its product.
The RIAA does not produce nor promote any of the music they are suing people over. They are, however, profiting from their actions.
The musicians they represent haven't been cut a check.
As for producing a product and having noone pay for it, look at Linux.
Whether RIAA likes it or not, there will always be someone pushing pirated music. There were mix tapes and dubs before the Compact Disc became so prevalent. The record companies have been unable to adapt. More interested in increasing their profits instead of putting out music people want to hear.
If I really like an artist, I'll buy their CD, but that's after I download it and give it a listen.
I guess we should be happy that RIAA hasn't pushed really hard to be like a software EULA. If they did, you'd need 2 or 3 copies of every cd you own. One for the house, one for the car. Don't even think about taking your cd's into a friends car for a road trip.