Quote:
Originally Posted by tompe
That was what I meant. I must check with a friend who is a prosecutor to see what they do in these cases. I suspect they think that loosing the money you paid is enough punishment but I might be mistaken.
|
Well, over here, if you know (and that's the key word .... "know") that you are paying for stolen goods, then you have entered into a conspiracy with the person who has done the theft, and you have taken an action in furtherance of that conspiracy (by giving them the money for the stolen thing).
It would probably depend on the value of the property, but I have seen people prosecuted for lots of illegal purchases. For example, paying someone for kiddie-porn is illegal, even if you never receive the porn. Paying someone for sex is illegal ... even if you never actually have sex with the person. In the case of never getting the stolen goods, it's generally considered "solicitation" to commit a crime.
Again ... it's going to come down to the value of the goods, or the seriousness of the illegality of those goods (drugs, porn .... that sort of thing).
But, you know, with the authorities in this country practically going bonkers over digital piracy, I wouldn't put it past them to prosecute someone over something like this.