Less than a month after his partner Paul Hansmeier was sentenced to 14 years in prison , the loudest (and therefore the most hated) porn copyright troll John Lawrence Steele learned his fate : almost three times less prison time than his co-conspirator. Why such difference? Cooperation. Claims of remorse. Competent representation

Star Tribune’s Dan Browning has been covering Prenda-related news for years: unsurprisingly he attended today’s sentencing and was first to report on what took place in the courtroom. I was not there so I have nothing to add.

I don’t feel like celebrating the fact that people (even villains) go to prison. However, Steele and Hansmeier harmed many and damaged respect for the courts, so deterrence is necessary.

If I were the judge, I’d pay more attention to restitution: ordering Steele and Hansmeier to jointly pay their victims $1.5 million while the amount of loot was two to four times bigger looks inadequate to me.

This sentence concludes the Prenda saga. When Hansmeier eventually loses his appeal, I will mention it. Otherwise, that’s it.

Cheers to everyone who helped to bring down the most arrogant copyright trolling operation: you know who you are.

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