When the IFPI raided OiNK more than two years ago, the case was unique not only because of its location (the UK), but because OiNK was always an invite-only community. You usually had to know someone to get an invitation, and there were very strict ratio requirements, as well as rules regarding quality of uploads.
A large part of the prosecution's case against Ellis was that he had more than $300,000 in his PayPal account, as well as 10 other bank accounts with about £20,000 spread across them. These funds were from donations that users could make to support server costs and other maintenance fees. Donations were not a requirement to join the site. Disclosure: I was a member of OiNK and made a donation, probably of £25 or so at least once before it was shut-down.
Lots of major BitTorrent trackers were shut down in 2007, but the OiNK case was different not only because of its focus on a private community, but also because the founder was personally charged in court. Ellis's argument, that OiNK didn't actually host any of the music, was one echoed by The Pirate Bay owners in their trial, albeit with more pleasant results.
The Chief Superintendent for Cleveland Police told the Yorkshire Post:
"This has been a fair investigation. The jury has been presented with all the evidence and we abide by their decision."