I've given this some thought, and I've even had discussions with my older brother about this. We live in a day where an actor's or artist's income comes largely from companies to promote their merchandise, say coca cola or dr pepper, even perscription drugs, shoes and pretty much everything, exposure of the actor and wide availability of their work benefits all, right? If famous people weren't so famous, the commercials and adds wouldn't be so effective, and merchandise wouldn't sell! They are paid for tv apperances, and pretty much anything. When they make a movie or album or whatever else, they are paid to do it, i doubt that actors are paid only if the movie makes money. Sure, royalties make them some money, but they have already been paid, right? There are just some things that can't be pirated online, like the experience of going to a live concert, and t-shirts, and other merchandise. In those cases public access to their work benefits them, and makes them more popular, and we are bound to buy some of their goods. I see it as exposure. That being said, I'm poor, and realize that I'm justifying it in a biased way.
