yeah, i did (but thanks for the pointer anyway, i might have just as easily missed it). that was a pretty accurate article from what i've gleaned of the DJ (doujinshi) market in japan.

but i think he's just harbouring wishful thinking when it comes to the west. if anything, copyright is getting tighter and tighter (IMO violating its original spirit more and more), and let's not even talk about trademark. also, fan fiction / fan art seem to me much less widely spread; most people are simply consumers and don't ever make their own, so there's less read/write culture to begin with, which makes a similar triangle with beneficial effects less likely. manga is much more integrated in japanese culture, and there isn't this artificial distinction that "comics are for kids; you'll grow out of it" that puts such a huge damper on western comics development and sales.