His fines probably count up to about 1/100th of what he makes a year from it, and if he uses botnets he's also breaking laws on breaking and entering and illegally using other people's computers and illegal network theft etcetera, not to mention the strain on the network that had to be compensated for by making expensive upgrades to backbones and then there's the cost people make after having gotten tricked by ISP's into paid anti-spam services.
I think he does indeed deserve a special punishment, and I don't mean silly sadistic ones, but appropriate ones, for instance: make a law that the guy can't have a higher income combined than $20K a year for 15 years, no matter what he does for a living, with a prison term if he break that.
And do keep an eye on him after that, a close eye, so he doesn't make more using fronts.

um, thats like the tip of the iceberg.

JUST ANOTHER NEWB GETTING CAUGHT

Shouldn't that be..: World's best spammer in court.. ;-)

Besides in court should he be in the Guinness book of worlds records as well. Under the records worst best spammer and worlds greatest annoyance.

No wait that would be a toss up with the MAFIAA

who let the jesuit out?

you know they are extra-sensitive at xmas time...

I don't know, the countries this involves are Australia, America and new Zealand, and I think these countries got bigger things to worry about than to heavily fine some poor guy trying to make a living. What happened to American freedom and liberty? This reminds me of how these twisted yanks took over the land of the red Indians-they preach liberty but deprived it from the red Indians, how ironic, we should do as they say, not as they do.

It seems that these liberties and freedom is for Americans-only, hence their oil driven, greed provoked, lust engaged way of thinking and their bent ideals in which they think that American lives are more important than that of a Iragi, pitiful individuals; Is that what Jesus preached? what about love thy neighbour? what about get slapped on one cheek and offer the other? what about if someone takes your cloak give them your t-shirt as well?

Verily, verily do I say unto ye, that ye men of iniquity, injustice, adultery, fornication and a forsaken generation and people, right thy ways and be not materialistic and sell thy clothe and house, give to the poor-that ye may enter the kingdom of God

The guy is a genious, ok the fine was inevitable but who cares he made a lot more than 16 M.

Guys don't be naive here millions of global legite company do the same thing.

Let's take an example:
You've seen commercials on TV, like microsoft, dominos, or whatever, if we follow your reasoning they should get fined everyday.

Microsoft products never work, always get viruses then tell you to upgrade for a price. Dominos show you these amazing pizza's yet when you get them they look terrible and if you eat em everyday you'll get sick (poissoned is a better word) Tabbaco give you cancer, cellular phones give you cancer, computer screens disort your eyes and unfocuses em.

There are millions of legitimate things that are way more terrible then spamming yet they are legal. And what are you complaining about anyway these mails go to your spam box you don't even see them lol.

What you think Postal service mail scam don't exist as well, lol you get advertising all the time through your postal mail, same thing.

Bottom line, yes what he did is illegal says the Gov but he made a lot of money and isn't hurting anyone nor anyones health so i Saw he RULES.

PEACE

This guy did countless millions of dollars in economic damage and he avoids serious jail time? That's ridiculous.

Somebody steals a car and they go to jail for 1-3 years.

This is a lot bigger than that.

he is still sending out millions of emails every day even today,10 years in jail would be good,there is no slow down of his spam

He is 1 step ahead of all the rest and has clearly shown what he is capable of. If there was more people with that level of intelligence around using it positively, the net might be quicker and safer. Use his talents in order to curb SPAM rather than stoning him with NET DUST.

To anyone who thinks this person doesn't deserve the fines and penalties do you LIKE spam? Do you think someone should just get a slap on the wrist? yes these governments are growingly fascist but this is one of the few decisions any of them make that i actually agree with. These people should be hung by their testicles (if they are all guys) to make an example out of them. Id much rather idiots like this be in gitmo than the people already there that don't have ANY evidence of wrongdoing.

They need a internet prison for chaps like him. A 6x6 room were they pipe the hamster dance song and psycho toad is projected on the walls and ceiling 18 hours a day. That is all.

Cost:$4 Billion Plus Microsoft +or Intel Pay with BAD Code Donatins to go with SPAM, Just to Ruin Equipment & effect Charge. On face of it, Maybe TEN Billion USD Just wasted by grabbing bunche 'O addresses Somewhere.I SAT Too Much & BAD. Everyone on Planet Pays Buck year for ?sPAM. iS iT fELLOWS iNCREDULOUS iNSISTENCE OR SYSTEM gONE bLIND.
drashek

New Zealand, Australia and the United States..........three countries trying desperately to enter a new fascist era and three places best avoided.

Put him in prison and let him sort the mail from all other inmates.

I'm pretty sure he will learn fast to give the right mail to the right person.

how do the yanks justify such a massive fine? and why do courts think it is also acceptable?

its like fining a tramp $1m for stealing a loaf of bread!

i think the punishment should be for the spammer to sit in the stocks for 2 hours a day for the rest of his life so passers-by throw pieces of paper at his face. the paper should have sh*t on it too - just like the emails.

This guy, and all people like him, must be executed. Even that is being merciful. Perhaps there should be an Internet stoning of him (with real, not virtual stones).