Article states it’s the cost of only the last and third subpoena. Since the first two were struck down in court already, they’re arguing making the exact same request again for a third time afterwards is just waste of time for everyone.
Unauthorized reproduction or copyright infringements is more scary and dramatic than theft in some ways. Just look at the punishment for copyright infringement vs theft. One is waaaaaay more severe. It’s almost akin to saying “You stole his life!” Instead of “you killed him!” Since severity of punishment for copyright infringements is pretty much up there with murder.
It’s the ad networks fault. And it’s 1337x fault for using shitty ad network. But once you get into shadier and less commonly approved business, only options you have for ads are shitty networks that have nearly no ad vetting system. Which means sometimes you get shit like this happening.
Payment processors don’t know which game you bought. That’s not the concern.
Their concern is that the store they do business with provides services to content they deem inappropriate. Frankly, I’m surprised they allowed this much for so long given the past.
Why credit card processors are puritans, I have no idea. But MC, Visa and PayPal have historically always been super anti-porn.