So there was a court case in the Netherlands that 2 kids had gotten sentenced for stealing virtual items from runescape after assaulting a person to get them. The court had ruled that theft did take place as the person put time and effort into getting the items that were then stolen from him. It set a precedent in the Dutch court that virtual items had a value and that it was theft.

1. So my question i come to you all with, is the taking of neopets accounts or goods not owned by you considered theft in the U.S.
2. Are there any precedents in the U.S for a virtual items type of case?
3. If you pay for the taken goods are you still liable for the action?
4. How do you avoid paying taxes on your earnings from such activities without getting in trouble
5. Have any of you gotten in trouble for any of the activities included in this discussion?

*** Do not reply with anything close to or related to "your on a cheating site, this is irrelevant" as it will just be reported as spam, i'm looking for only legitimate answers and facts if their are any to be had***