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I'm curious, would stealing bitcoin like this actually break any laws?

• ryan-c 10y ago
  When I discussed this with a lawyer last year, his "this is not legal advice" opinion was that it could probably be prosecuted as conversion[0]. 0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_(law) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_(law)
• KirinDave 10y ago
  Theft is theft when value is converted or transferred without consent. If someone leaves their house unlocked and the door open and a neighbor pinches objects, it is still a crime to take said things. Most jurisdictions recognize this even if the actual mode of theft or the goods are somewhat unprecedented so long as you can demonstrate that it is property. Bitcoin's classification in the US means that it's SUPPOSED to be subject to all the scrutiny and protections that convertible currencies are supposed to have, although I can't speak to the regulation of that.
  • raphinou 10y ago
    I think in some juridictions you might be viewed as having provoked the theft. And provoking the theft seems to annihilate the prosecution at least when it is done by police (eg leaving laptop on seat in car under surveillance to arrest thieves), as has been the case in the past in (I think) belgium.
    • KirinDave 10y ago
      > I think in some juridictions you might be viewed as having provoked the theft. That's a question of intent and reasonable interpretation. I'm fairly sure "I didn't audit the browser PRNG," will not be looked upon by any court you can name as a reasonable thing to expect people to do.