RIP: A Remix Manifesto - Creativity or Crime

In class we watched a musical documetary called RIP: A Remix Manifesto which described many different situations people had with copyright laws which forced them into debt because of an apparent illegal action such as, downloading a song or remixing a song or type of media.  For this blog I am to state my opinion about the documentary and answer one question based on my opinion - Do I think a remixed song is a creative work of art or an illegal action?  Firstly, based on the movie and my opinion, I liked the movie but, found it just kept asking a question instead of trying to answer.  I guess they expected the audience to answer the question - Should we leave all our work in the public domain where it will be allowed to be remixed and taken for free or should all of our work be OUR work and no one can edit, modify, or change anything at all or take any of it without paying the respective author.  I noticed they always stated all the flaws of the copyright side but, then stated flaws about the public domain / creative commons side.  Which leaves me believing that there should be a balance between the two.  A remix should only be created if the respective author allows it, not the company the author signed with.  But, people are greedy, what can you do? Only the band or media creator can tell the publishers or record company to back off.  So, all you can do is talk to the band or media creator somehow and complain.  On the topic of downloading music I believe it is fine if individuals are sued for downloading a type of media.  When someone is downloading something and they get sued and complained they should know that when you are downloading a type of media you may have consequences.  They don't catch everyone for downloading things but, those who are downloading media should know there is risk.  As for the question I believe in both sides.  A person, first of all, should get the band or creator's official consent to remix the song and then, go ahead.  If the creator does not agree and doesn't want their media remixed then, they won't let you and in that case it should be considered an illegal action.  There is no problem with that.