Whether we morally agree with it or not, recording a film and uploading is still contravene to the laws of most countries.
What are they supposed to do? They have to prosecute, there's no choice.
I found Lucasfilm's stance arrogant and self-serving, to be sure, but I understand their anger. The argument that "they still made money, why do theu care" is irrelevant. Thousands of people watched that bootleg with no intention ever of seeing it theatrically. They're making an example out of this guy, and I kind of have to agree with it.
Now, if anything positive comes out of this, I hope that film studios realize that they need to re-evaluate standards and practices. Theatre attendance is down, and I'm convinced it's partially due to the widespread availability of pirated films. There's a whole underground economy at my work where there is someone charging $5 for DVD's of first run films.
Ultimately it hurts us all.