EricNau said:CDs are not fragile. In fact, I have never heard of one accidentally breaking. If it becomes broken or scratched beyond use then you need to be much, much more careful.
Because that's what the law says you can sue for. The high amount is supposed to act as a deterrent... you know, "don't steal a song that's worth $1 because the punishment could be up to $150,000".How the heck does the RIAA think they can sue for $150,000 per song? The most you can imagine in damages would be $1 per song.
...You've never had a broken CD, nor heard of one being broken? Come to my house.