September 22, 2024

Skylight Webzine

Online since 2000

US government ordered to submit Megaupload evidence

A New Zealand court has ruled that the US Government must hand over the evidence they have against controversial music streaming site Megaupload.
The evidence could be used in defence by Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom and the rest of the employees who stand accused by the US Government of running a criminal operation.
The group are currently facing a pending extradition request to the US and the American government originally refused to hand over evidence, but the judge noted that the US case stands or falls on the strength of the alleged copyright infringement charges and concluded that this would be unfair.

New Zealand District Court Judge David Harvey ruled on a request from Megaupload’s legal team for the US Government to reveal what evidence they have to back up their criminal charges.

All documents related to the alleged criminal acts, not just those in the possession of New Zealand police, but all files held by the FBI and other US authorities as well have been ordered to hand over within 21 days.

Charges pressed against the site include engaging in a racketeering conspiracy, conspiring to commit copyright infringement, conspiring to commit money laundering, and two substantive counts of criminal copyright infringement.

Source: Torrentfreak cited at Music Week