Movie critic Paul Sherman has been busted for selling DVD screeners to pirate groups. Over the years he sold 117 discs for $4714. He now faces a $250000 fine and 3 years in prison:

Variety reported this morning that Sherman has been busted for selling over 100 screeners to warez groups, organizations that distribute software (and, obviously, movies) for download. From what I can gather, these groups are incredibly organized, and do business less for profit than to make things available to their users (warez users, feel free to help us out in the comments -- I'm basically going on the wikipedia entry). Over a few years, Sherman was paid a grand total of $4714 for 117 discs. And, now that he's been caught, he could be fined up to $250,000 and spend three years in prison. Uh huh. And this is worth the risk why, again?

What he did was wrong, and I think he should be in some sort of trouble... but $250,000 and 3 years in jail (perhaps per offense)? I think that's WAY too much...

I think the fine is fair, but the jail time is pointless and stupid. Having to pay back $250,000 over a period of years while factoring in living expenses would be incredibly difficult and more than enough to remind you what a big mistake it was. I mean can you imagine a movie critic in jail next to some armed robber? He'll be peppered steak that's for sure. But shit why risk it for 40 bux a pop : /

Well, depends on how you look at it. Playing devils advocate here, so 117 discs/movies downloaded on the net by lets say 10 million people (VERY conservative estimate). Considering the price of watching a movie, renting a movie, buying a dvd, not to mention lost theatre concessions, I think $250,000 is pretty fair.

Now on the flipside, he made $5000 off of this? I hope the "warez groups" at least sent some errrr, ummm, female friends, over to his house for additional compensation. He definitely won't be enjoying any of that where he's going...