Given that only a few type designers are even prosperous, let alone wealthy, my sense that this is the necessary price. I assume you like you get paid for your labor. Or is it only type designers that should work for free because you have some sort of basic human right to a "decent looking font."

> I am sure this system can be improved to benefit both font authors and font users

One approach that could work is draconian DRM but no one liked the drawbacks. You must have some idea on how improve the system, since you are so sure it can be improved. I'd suggest you implement this idea - you'll be doing everyone quite the favor and become rather wealthy as a result.