Copy Protection Really Doesn't

So... many companies use copy-protection programs on their released software. Whether it's the entry of a serial number, requiring the user to have the CD in the drive, encoding methods to make copies difficult to make, or active programs that try to validate the authenticity of the CD (or any combination of the above), they've all been tried, and they've all been defeated. So it doesn't really deter people who weren't inclined to pay for the program in the first place. What does it accomplish?

Well, according to some gamers who have used products using StarForce or SecuROM, it accomplishes opening up security holes, aggravations from not authenticating original disks, disabling CD and DVD burners or burning programs, conflicting with antivirus and spyware programs (refusing to load or authenticate while they are running), and forcing users to manually hunt down and clean up hidden files if they choose to uninstall the product "protected" with it.

So... it doesn't stop the people inclined to pirate, and it causes problems for people who purchase the games.

And the companies using the products think this is a good idea, why?