I don't have any problems with copy protection, as long as it doesn't affect your ability to run the game. I find it unbelievable that you can only re-install certain games 3 times or so, or can't install it on more than one PC. What about users who get a new PC?
Sometimes, publishers get sloppy: I got the Empire Earth Gold Edition, but when I tried to installed the expansion, I needed a CD-key. Guess what? No CD-key was in the box, or on the pdf-manual. I tried contacting them, to no avail. On the forum, I got called a pirate. Customer Service said, after three weeks, to mail the game back to them. Yeah, right, when was I going to see it back?
In the end, I had to crawl through the hives of scum and villainy on the internet to get my perfectly legally bought game running.
My nephew got his illegal copy running after downloading for about 4 hours or so.
I wholy agree that economic needs is what drives (game)companies. But the above example is also about economics: To get my legal game running, I had to pay a very high cost of opportunity. I choose to, because it is right that the game developers earn their money. But basing your company policy on the ethical goodwill of your customers is folly, which is what happens most of the time.
In the end, I think the internet-requirement to play is a good thing, but the limiting number of installations (Not sure if I read that on GB or somewhere else) is moronic: that typically only punishes your customers.