if you haven't kept up with cory lately,
he does a nice little history review here:
>   http://www.locusmag.com/Perspectives/2009/09/cory-doctorow-special-pleading.html

money quote:
>   I don't give away downloads because I'm just a swell guy --
>   I do it because I'm a self-employed entrepreneur who
>   needs to make as much as he can to support his family.

in other words, a free online copy doesn't _cost_ him money,
it _makes_ him money.

-bowerbird