RnBXclusive music site closed - downloaders warned they could be fined unlimited sum

I was just having a look at the BBC technology news when I stumbled upon an article about a music download site that has just been forced to close.

What stood out with this is the site's warning, basically stating that anyone who had been downloading from the site, could faceimprisonmentbut also an unlimited fine.

Is this actually legal as it just seems to me to be some kind of scare tactic. I'm no expert in the law field butpresumeyou can only fine someone a set amount depending obviously on the crime. As far as I know, for someone who has downloaded some files, you'd maybe be asked to pay for the files you downloaded and possibly some money for the damages you may have caused. I don't think legally you could be made tocontinuouslypay a fine for just downloading.

It could all just be there to make people think they can do it in the hope that it reduces illegal downloading.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17039722