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There is an interesting history here. Look up Perpetual Copyright and the Battle of the Booksellers. It is totally inaccurate to describe public domain books as legally sanctioned piracy in any way, let alone a very real way. Certainly those with a vested interest aren't fond of the idea of public domain. The London booksellers in the cases making up the "battle" mentioned above were arguing for the existence of a perpetual common law copyright which would just so happen to preserve their monopoly. My personal view is that some form of copyright is desirable but current copyright terms are ridiculous. Reform of intellectual property laws in general is long overdue.
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