I think the notion that creators won't get paid without copyright is a bit far-fetched. Just as the notion that existence of copyright ensures creators will get paid is a bit far-fetched.

It's certainly not impossible to make money as a creator without the benefit of copyright or patent or similar concepts. WD-40 famously was never patented, for example. Many software developers give away software and charge for service agreements on the software they've written. There's no copyright or patent system protecting that income stream -- anybody could offer service for the software they've written. But, they still manage to make money. Some of them a lot of money.

It's not impossible (or maybe even harder) for a creator to make money without copyright or patent. It's just a different process.