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Because if someone writes a great book, makes a great album, makes a great movie etc. it is their creation.
If they wanted to do it for the common good, they could have never copyrighted it and just given it to the public.
If it stops selling after a few years, they can start giving it away (assuming they didn't sign away ownership to a publisher).
But if it's something that keeps selling, then they have a right to keep selling it until they die and maybe a bit beyond (for their families).
Sure, their will always be jackasses making illegal copies etc. But they (or publishers they contracted with) should own the rights to making official copies and selling them for profit.
They shouldn't make money for 20 years, or 56 years etc. and then suddenly have it stop (even though it was still selling). It's their property and they should get as much out of it as possible during their lifetimes. If it can sell and make them money for their whole lifetimes, they should reap the benefits of creating something that's so great it can keep selling across decades. Not have to sit around as others make money of their creating once its in the public domain and anyone can copy and sell it etc.
You have a view that leans toward the common good. I live a life about self interest, and again spend every second of every day on activities that benefit myself directly on indirectly. I'll never create anything for the common good. I'll create it because it benefits me in some way, and I better not see others making money off of it during my lifetime!
Since I feel that way, I strongly support copyrights for others who are creating stuff.
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