legality of holding passwd files

[bird7727]

Not so sure if this should be here in Ethics or in some other forum section but I will post it here for now. For a start, I am a total noob to the hacking world. To get to my main question, say someone acquired a passwd.txt file (receiving for testing purposes, self-created, and/or thieved). What would the legality be if that person kept the file on their computer, not intending to use it for any reason other than information.

P.S. I tried to make it as theoretical, but I understand if it is locked.

[godofcereal]

Well it would depend on what kind of site you got them from. If it was paypal or any other money holding site, I think you can be put up for intent of theft. If it was something like neopets then I dont think they would care.
I doubt it that you would get caught with them so its your choice.