Technology

You mean the ones who routinely come out saying how X corporation stole their work and they received nothing for it?

Yes.The ones who routinely use copyright to get some form of payment. I know several people who had their photographs reublished by the Daily Mail and subsequently got payment. It happens. It's an imperfect system, but still one that allows small artists to make a living.

he amount of times an artist “wins” in the system vs a corporation is laughable.

I mean, it really isn't. It's the entire backbone of an industry whereby, for example a photographer or illustrator can supply woirk to a magazine on a single use license. It's how people who supply photo libraries make a living. It's how small bands have at least some protection.