[zokier]

> Shouldn't this be a civil issue, to be settled between the two parties

I kinda understand at least one reason why it's not that simple. In high profile cases like this, you could have hundreds of copyright holders wanting action. Coordinating all those people could be impossible, and thus legitimate cases would fall flat on their faces just for lack of cooperation.

[chewxy]

If the copyright holders are unable to form a class action suit against one tiny group... I don't see why they should be entitled to going 'one level up' and getting federal involvement and making it a crime.

[pyre]

You're saying that they should be Federal crimes due to logistical reasons. You do realize that making them Federal crimes includes prison sentences, while civil cases do not. Just because it would be logistically difficult to get a civil case organized is not enough of an excuse for adding jail time to the punishment.

[belorn]

Aren't that always the case with class action suits? I would also like special criminal laws to be added each time a company do something that result in a class action suit. It would make things so much easier.