Software Piracy, why not?

We all know that Software Piracy is "wrong" and a crime. The question I have is, what is the punishment for the crime?

I do a lot of side jobs. Usually it is just helping friends out, but sometimes it is a friend of a friend that is in need. They know I am an Admin and have access to software, so it is not uncommon to have people ask me to "just load a copy on for them".

Every time, the answer is "no". I tell them I won't ask them to go to the corner store and steal me a candy bar if they don't ask me to steal them a $600 package. [i](list, not VALUE)[/i]

I have not done it because it is stealing, and I look down pretty harshly upon thieves, so I don't want to become one myself just because someone else is cheap. I also find it insulting that they would put me in that position in the first place. My common solution is to offer an open source alternative.

[b]My question is, to help back up my refusal, what can or might happen LEGALLY (in the US of course) if your caught loading software illegally?[/b]

Actual links instead of "I think this would..." are preferred.

Thanks.

jd