The anology fails one specific.

analogy-

The auto-opening and starting cars have been avialable for a while but the general public couldn't just walk up to them. This is because, until recently, the cars only ran on special, limited access toll roads and could only be parked in specific, secure areas.

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spelled out-

Distribution via the 'net is relativly new while the digital media has been around for quite a while. Copying has always been around since devices existed to make those copies. The wholesale disbursment is the new thing.

That being said, it still doesn't invalidate the point of passing a law to insure profits being a wrongheaded idea.