>It's not illegal to sign a contract to give somebody money in exchange for something.
Lets split illegal into 2 words criminal and unenforceable. You statement can be right and it can be wrong depending on the facts. Enter most any contract with a minor, its unenforceable. How about you take my money in exchange for something, but you don't give me that something and never intended to give me that something, that is criminal fraud.
>If we sign a paper contract that includes a clause giving me permission to withdraw money, and the contract also explicitly says that only the letter of the contract should be considered and not its intent or spirit, why would this be considered theft if I decide to exercise this clause?
Generally, because as a society we don't want criminals taking advantage of vulnerable members of our society including minors, elderly or non accredited investors. Moreover, we especially don't want them to escape liability by hiding behind a contract that the victim signed. For the record I am not really addressing it as theft directly, as I don't think I ever called what may happen on the DAO theft even if the money gets released.
Lets split illegal into 2 words criminal and unenforceable. You statement can be right and it can be wrong depending on the facts. Enter most any contract with a minor, its unenforceable. How about you take my money in exchange for something, but you don't give me that something and never intended to give me that something, that is criminal fraud.
>If we sign a paper contract that includes a clause giving me permission to withdraw money, and the contract also explicitly says that only the letter of the contract should be considered and not its intent or spirit, why would this be considered theft if I decide to exercise this clause?
Generally, because as a society we don't want criminals taking advantage of vulnerable members of our society including minors, elderly or non accredited investors. Moreover, we especially don't want them to escape liability by hiding behind a contract that the victim signed. For the record I am not really addressing it as theft directly, as I don't think I ever called what may happen on the DAO theft even if the money gets released.