NEWS: MS cuts virus author a break

[rgharper]

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/news/41875.html

In short, the author of one of the Blaster variations had been sentenced to serve 18 months in jail, followed by 100 hours of community service and a US$500,000 fine payable to Microsoft. By agreement of Microsoft, the prosecuting attorneys and defense attorneys, the half-million buck fine has been dropped in favor of an additional 225 hours of community service.

[TechZ]

I'm guessing that they realized it would do more by making him help the community rather than asking for a large amount that he couldnt pay. And its good PR too.

[rgharper]

It also has to be just a little embarrassing that they caught one of the little fish but the big tuna is still swimming around somewhere and laughing at them.