Hm, I dimly remembered what was called "Mundraub" in Germany, so I looked it up and interestingly, the German wikipedia entry mentions 5th book Moses, 23,25 (probably should be 23,24?) as an example of theft permitted if for immediate consumption (and perhaps in not too large quantities):
When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, thou mayst eat grapes thy bellyful at thine own pleasure: but thou shalt put none in thy bag.
However, as a German, I find it interesting why you mention Germany as "less-principled". Less-principled than the US? Do you talk about current Germany or about former east Germany or even Nazi Germany?
Of course, there are enough problems here as anywhere else regarding privacy, etc. But I have difficulties seeing current Germany as "less-principled" than the US wrt. privacy, human rights etc.
When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, thou mayst eat grapes thy bellyful at thine own pleasure: but thou shalt put none in thy bag.