Megaupload employees Bram van der Kolk and Mathias Ortmann have signed a deal with New Zealand and the US. They can therefore stand trial in New Zealand on suspicion of copyright infringement via the internet service. In return, the US drops its extradition request.
“New Zealand is now our home and we want to stay here. The lingering uncertainty surrounding the extradition case has taken a heavy toll on our lives and it is time to move on,” Van der Kolk and Ortmann said in a statement. “Once these charges are heard by the New Zealand courts, the US will withdraw its extradition proceedings against us.”
The case against Megaupload, with which users could upload and download files from movies, TV programs and games, has been going on for about ten years. At the end of last year, the Supreme Court ruled that the Megaupload employees were eligible for extradition to the US.
Coming to court soon
“While this means we will not be extradited, there is still a trial ahead of us as we will be charged in New Zealand. As this case is in court, we will not comment further,” said Van der Kolk and Ortmann. . According to the New Zealand newspaper The Herald The two are due to appear in court for the first time later this month.
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Kim Dotcom doesn’t give up
Megaupload co-founder Kim Dotcom says she will not settle keep resisting against the charges. The 48-year-old ex-hacker from Germany therefore runs the risk of being extradited to the US soon.
Dotcom writes on Twitter that he does not accept the ‘injustice’ that has been done to him, although he understands the decision of his two former colleagues. “If I have to go to jail for what Megaupload users have done on our site, many CEOs of major tech companies are in the same boat with me.” According to the internet entrepreneur, Megaupload did little differently than other major platforms where users can upload themselves.
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Dotcom and Mega
Kim Dotcom became famous worldwide for the Megaupload case and for his extravagant way of life. being about him multiple documentaries created.
The Mega company still exists and provides cloud storage services to individuals and businesses. The New Zealand company has 255 million registered users.
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