A novel way to solve this problem is to stop signing new talent to the big labels.

Some of the music I listen to is signed to smaller labels who have much more liberal views when it comes to distribution and piracy. They host their own online stores that sell DRM-free albums usually at 50% of the cost of what you pay to big labels on iTunes, in stores, etc.

The vast majority of musicians and producers (i.e. not the Lady Gaga's or The Beatles or Michael Jackson) make their money by touring and performing. Selling their music on CD and in digital formats is considered a marketing method and token income at best.

My hope is that Big Music become more and more irrelevant (and less influential) as artists realise that they can do better without them.