Right, because $54,000 wouldn't be appalling either.<p>A song is worth a dollar, which means $24 is the maximum actual theft here (but one could argue that since the industry is willing to sell songs for less as albums, they aren't "worth" a dollar either...more like 25 cents).<p>Restitution might demand a small fine, such as $50 or $100. That means this person should be liable <i>at worst</i> about $100.<p>So what the hell, exactly, is wrong with the music industry and the legal system? I would think it's largely a matter of doing math, and comparing this to other small theft cases like taking a candy bar from a store.