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Fines for criminal cases are normally based on a combination of how serious the crime and the offenders ability to pay, not a fixed amount, you wouldn't get a different sentence for B&E if you stole a 50" HD TV or a 17" Portable.
I can't see any reason why civil cases shouldn't be worked the same way instead of a multiple of the retail value of the goods. Many book torrents, I believe, are x thousand books, so if someone downloads a 20,000 book torrent it is unreasonable to fine someone £1 million (20,000 books x £5 per book x 10 for penalty) as pretty much no one will be able to pay the fine anyway. For 1 book charge them £50, no problem, but when it is silly amounts, take away the stuff they downloaded, and have a maximum fine as some % of their annual income.
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