Oh, I agree the labels are being completely stupid about this. Instead of cracking down on the freeloaders, they should be flooding the net with samples and working on electronic delivery as a product that would allow them to sell a much larger library at much lower costs. I know that some people use this system the "right" way -- get a couple of tracks to discover a new band or album, then go out and buy it if they like it -- the RIAA should be catering to thse types rather than driving them away.
But it still doesn't excuse people who are just trying to get something for nothing.
This is where you are mistaken. If I download a bazillionty songs, and never buy a single CD, the RIAA still benefits. Think of the Costco free-food samples. You try the frozen pizza, in fact you help yourself to 6 pieces, yet do not buy the product. Every weekend, you help yourself to more free samples, and every weekend, you don't buy. But, some day you are with a friend who is planning a party, and you say "Those frozen pizza's tasted pretty good". Your friend, based upon your good word then purchases 1 or more of those pizzas. The free samples result in your word-of-mouth advertizing, which is the highest goal that marketing strives for.