This is where the whole concept of shareware developed from - a legal form of test pirating. But there is even another level in addition to this when talking about Napster, MP3, and music. Radios play music for free. DTV plays songs in CD quality on over 40 stations. Record stores get sampler and promo discs for free.
Music is built on the concept of free distribution to advertise the album.
They wanted people to buy the albums based on the album and not just one or two songs. If those using Napster are not buying the albums or singles that they have and play repeatedly or keep for a long time are pirates and should be punished. Otherwise, I think they are wise consumers who test before they purchase. Make sure they produce a product this is of high enough quality to make the consumer have a reason to show their appreciation for the work that went into it by purchasing it. Now, the point of this exercise is to say something nice about whoever you were writing to, and you had to do it for everyone.