Star Wars thieves arrested, This is interesting. Options

[*mipadi*]

"Earlier this year, an advance copy of 'Star Wars: Episode III' was released to the Internet a day before the film's official worldwide opening. Yesterday, the US Attorney handed down charges to the eight people believed responsible. Using forensic markers embedded in the advance-release "screeners," law enforcement were able to track down the leaked copy and the people who came in contact with it. As a result of the early release, Episode III only managed to earn $380 million at the box office." [1]

I thought this would be a civil case, not a criminal case, but apparently these 8 individuals have violated some criminal law.

[*RiC3xBoy*]

I suppose I do understand that it wasn't mainly about the money, but more on that the thing they did could really snowball into something big which would lead to millions of dollars of loses. If I may ask, what was the punishment.

[*mipadi*]

I suppose I do understand that it wasn't mainly about the money, but more on that the thing they did could really snowball into something big which would lead to millions of dollars of loses. If I may ask, what was the punishment.

No punishment yet; however, the "leader" faces a felony and up to 3 years in jail, while the others face a misdemeanor charge and up to a year in prison. (If you go to the cited link, there is a link to a longer article detailing the case.)