[atmosx]

Sure, fine him 500 USD and make him to 100 hours of social work. Not 20 years and 45 millions essentially for movies that no one would ever pay for anyway, e.g. if I download 'Charlie's angels' doesn't mean that I'm willing to pay a ticket or a rent a DVD to watch the movie.

Anyway, piracy is not good but the real price of renting an online movie, say from iTunes, should be about 0,30 USD. That way no one would bother.

[consz]

Why do you assume they are movies no would ever pay for? I've downloaded hundreds/thousands of movies from pirating sites that I'd be happy to pay for if I didn't have the alternative of pirating it -- that's easily $10,000+ in lost revenue just from me.

[atmosx]

Well, the prior statement was my case. Your case is probably different. I don't watch TV, just sports for which I happily pay when possible (e.g. NBA) and don't pay and search online-shitty-streaming services when not (e.g. F1).

That said, I'm not sure you're the rule. Maybe neither am I, but either way... Software apart, digital media sharing/copying doesn't equal with stealing in THE REAL WORLD that's why people would always do it.

Imagine if I could steal your car and the owner could find it on the parking the next day ;-)