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There's nothing incompatible between copyright and democracy. Copyright (in the U.S.) was created to serve democracy... that is, to serve the people by providing legal protection to encourage members of the people to create, and thereby provide more creations for the public to access and enjoy. That was its original intent; and although copyright law needs updating to fit the digital world of the 21st century, that remains its intent.
Limiting access to files through copyright laws is not a severance of democracy, any more than denying me the right to shoot my neighbor with my lawfully-purchased gun is a severance of democracy. Laws are designed to protect the majority from the acts of the minority (not the other way around, as so many would like to think), and thereby to help preserve the democracy.
It is also possible to create a technology platform that all but eliminates piracy. Unfortunately, that won't happen under the present, open and insecure internet and computing base that the world uses. And the public is too afraid of a draconian, Big Brother future to support the adoption of a new, secure and monitor-friendly internet and computing base.
But that could change.
Computer and internet users (and other groups, such as cable subscribers) have already shown a historic willingness to accept features and systems that they did not want, in order to get something else that they did want. This premise--opt-in and accept A in order to obtain B--can be applied to computer security as well. And it probably will be applied, when members of the public feel sufficiently threatened by hackers and pirates that can tap into their personal security, invade their privacy and access their most personal secrets and most valuable assets.
Presently, the public is not faced with that reality. But we are approaching it, undeniably closer every day. When the public realizes that even turning on their computers, to do the simplest things they desire to do, immediately compromises themselves and everything they know and own, the prospect of a more secure internet and computer system may seem very desirable... in fact, preferable.
When that day comes, we will see a new, secure and monitor-able internet being created... and a public that will cheer for it.
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