this guy did not 'pinch' the information, the 'victim's' freely made the information available, its their fault if they can't configure a simple program for the brain dead like limewire.

I was thinkiing just that.

However please notice that he's not been convicted for *data theft* or unauthorized introduction into a computer system; but for ID theft.

The court didn't retain the introduction bit because there was no crime related to getting the files, as they were willingly offered.

If I wear my MP3 player on my belt or somewhere similarly vulnerable, rather than in my pocket, it's still theft to swipe it.

For that matter, if I'm not standing in a martial arts guard, it's still assault to punch me in the face.

"Should have moved to the UK and then only his wrist would have been slapped"

I'd be interested to see a story in the UK of someone who stole £75k directly from members of the public escaping without chokey; if there are any such examples, I'd be utterly amazed if they weren't very young, very old or mothers of dependent children.

$73k equates to roughly £38k (probably nearer £35k next week).

I know of one individual who forged signatures, stole banking details, took out a credit card in "someone else's" name and then passed themself off as that "someone else" managing to fraudulently obtain goods and services well worth over £20k whilst also fraudulently claiming excess benefits and failing to disclose other income for taxation purposes. The individual then skipped the country and in so doing effectively abducted a young child. Their location is known by the courts and NOTHING has been done. Yes, SHE is a mother of dependent children. What ever happened to Equality of the Sexes?

Anonymous, otherwise the register won't be allowed to publish.

You can probably find some with a quick trawl through the news archives. However, I'll guarantee they won't be very young, very old or mothers of dependent children. Captains of industry maybe? MPs? Peers of the realm?