So,
1) If they hacked into my machine and stole the private key; (illegal)
2) If they sniped the pk while snooping on a public access connection; (illegal)
3) If they brute forced the private key into existence; (not illegal)
4) If they snapped a shot of my private key qr code over my shoulder at an ATM. (not illegal)
What if I claimed an address on the block chain with a signature and 3 or 4 happened? Would I have a case then?
If 3) happens then
all Bitcoins become worthless and the question would become: If I take something which is worth nothing is it illegal?
Well I guess you could argue that even though all Bitcoins are now worthless they still might have sentimental value.
I think bitcoin would still have value because the bad actor would not expose themselves....right? Would he have an incentive to keep the method a secret?
See, that's what's got me re-thinking some of these points....How would we prove that 3 or 4 happened, unless the bad actor exposed the method? And, what new legislation might be proposed to protect public ledger breeches? It's kind of scary thinking about the public space being legislated (which could be proposed due to bitcoin's market capital reaching such high numbers)....Sometimes legislation that's passed through has unintended consequences when it comes to personal liberties....