There's a simple an reasonable thing to do if you don't want to get caught or in trouble: don't do it. How is it much different than buying coke on the streets, getting caught and spending most of your life in prison, effectively ruining your life as well? Both are illegal. You can argue the differences and outcomes of pirating and drug abuse but, either way, it's still wrong. The fines are overexaggerated and way too unreasonable, but if the courts allow it, it's the courts that is the problem here. Because there's no real police force on the Internet. You have to do research to catch them, and subpoena ISPs for the info. Again, your choice if you do something wrong; if you get caught you take responsibility over it. But what does this have to do with businesses? Can all businesses pay fines? Really?