if that were true, why then are all MS agencies so concerned [rightly] about copyright and model releases?
yes, photog owns the copyright, but the agency has the right to sell the images and they are the seller in this case -- the MS is the one who takes the customers money, and deals with any problems.
in the US, this can effect your taxes -- royalties like these are treated differently from direct income [eg, you dont pay social security taxes on royalties].
so, in re piracy, it is both the photographers AND the MS who are responsible
steve