its bad because its illegal

No I think we should reform it so that it makes sense is fair, and isn't something that keeps getting extended. Also, I don't think it warrants criminal punishment. Because it is a very ideological difference in opinion as to whether we even need it or not. It's not been scientifically proven as necessary for the advancement of society nor the greater good.

Violating copywrite is not like stealing a car. Plus we already have protections in place for brands and trademarks that aren't related to copywrite. Also patents are a very different thing.

I think at most monetary damages could be sought, but if someone doesn't even have anything to give monetarily i think that's a pretty good case that they didn't steal anything.

Now people like that guy running megaco.nz is profiting and hurting people, while not theft, that's more like fraud and could be prosecuted under counterfeiting and trademark infringements.

I just generally disagree with the whole concept of written works as the property of any individual or group once published. The state granted monopoly we give them, shouldn't last for more than the life cycle of the product. Generally revenue on books and research isn't valuable past the original 14 year mark proposed.

Further works and trademarks in characters and specific story elements (stopping people from profiting on a brand... like "Han Solo" in a sense is probably reasonable.

But definitely not in the case of the research Aaron obtained and released freely for the general benefit of society.

Besides, Aaron was facing upwards of 40yrs in prison for breaking and entering a computer system, not the actual copywrite infringement. It's just that the "demographic" in this case really had enough weight and power to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of his intent and the results (which weren't all that bad).

Also, he did little more than log in under his username and ftp/copy the files elsewhere it wasn't even really hacking in the sense that the system was violated, he just violated the trust of his password/username and his license to only view the material and not share it publicly.

There was no exploitation or damage done to any networks or servers. Or virus's, or Trojans installed, or packet sniffing, etc... Nor did he like download and release the password hash of everyone on Elseviere's network.

What is really sad and probably why this never made it to trial (*tinfoil conspiracy hat*) is that this would have been one of the greatest cases of the century if he hadn't "committed suicide". But because he did, most of this was as neatly and cleanly swept up under the rug and ignored as an issue because it was never debated in a political and social forum were reform could be called for or take place.

The mainstream media focus left what he did and why he did, to whether it was his fault or not he killed himself (lol :( )

Not only that, but the fact that people want "anonymous" to pick this up is going to mostly discredit it further. It would have been really great if he had his day in court :(

I think he was intelligent enough, and affiliated enough with learned people to have made some very persuasive arguments. Whether he was found guilty or not.