I think an example would more clearly explain what I am talking about. Say I write some software that is central to a performance and the performers have a commodity skill. So if I release this project under the GPL, someone could download the software, hire some people, and perform the piece and call it their art, leaving all the Copyright notices intact on the code, just not telling anyone about it. This wouldn't violate the GPL since they would be claiming credit for the performance, not the software.
But I want people to build upon my idea just as I have built upon the ideas of so many others, that is why I insist on releasing everything I write as free software. But I would like to get paid for my work so I don't have to do other bullshit jobs. The main funding stream that I see for code/media art is getting paid to show your art at festivals. I am currently finishing a stint at the Lille 2004 European Cultural Capital festival and the level of sleaze and backstabbing is pretty appalling. This is what triggered this question: I could totally see someone in a festival like this not wanting to pay to put on a piece, so once they find out its GPL'ed, they just do it themselves, without giving me even credit (while leaving the GPL copyright notices intact with my name on them).
The other side of the question is the troubles that the BSD attribution clause caused. Basically, as the software spreads the number of attributions needed becomes large and unmanagable. So I think the comprimise would be to cover the instrument parts of the code under the GPL, so people will develop it and make it better, while putting the score and other performance aspects of it under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license, then just hope that people will actually want to pay me rather than just give me credit :).
.hc
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"[W]e have invented the technology to eliminate scarcity, but we are deliberately throwing it away to benefit those who profit from scarcity." -John Gilmore