The problem with making the punishment equal to the crime ($1 per mp3) is that it is not a punishment at all. There is no crime deterrent there. Why would people (other than their own goodness) download something legally for $1 if they could download it illegally for free, and then only pay the $1 fee if caught? Financially it wouldn't make sense to follow the law. So the punishment must be an actual punishment, instead of a simple reimbursement.
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The problem with making the punishment equal to the crime ($1 per mp3) is that it is not a punishment at all. There is no crime deterrent there. Why would people (other than their own goodness) download something legally for $1 if they could download it illegally for free, and then only pay the $1 fee if caught? Financially it wouldn't make sense to follow the law. So the punishment must be an actual punishment, instead of a simple reimbursement.