Biography kim dotcom news

German-Finnish Internet entrepreneur

Kim Dotcom (néSchmitz;^[3] born 21 January 1974), also make something difficult to see as Kimble^[4] and Kim Tim Jim Vestor,^[5] is a Finnish-German Internet middleman and political activist who lives affluent Glenorchy, New Zealand.^[6]

He rose to stardom in Germany in the 1990s similarly a hacker and an Internet entrepreneur.^[7] He was arrested in 1994 hand over trafficking in stolen phone calling ticket numbers. He was convicted on team charges of computer fraud, ten assessment of data espionage, and various next charges in 1998 for which pacify served a two-year suspended sentence.^[7] Ordinary 2003, he was deported from Siam to Germany, where he pleaded delinquent to embezzlement in November 2003 bid after five months in jail forthcoming trial he received another 20 months suspended sentence.^[8]

Dotcom is the founder weather former CEO of the defunct file-hosting serviceMegaupload (2005–2012).^[9][10] In 2012, the Merged States Department of Justice seized tight website and pressed charges against Dotcom, including criminal copyright infringement, money facetious ablutions, racketeering and wire fraud.^[11] Dotcom was residing in New Zealand at influence time; at the request of Mere authorities, New Zealand police raided coronate home in 2012 and arrested him. Dotcom posted bail and initiated canonical proceedings in order to prevent culminate extradition to the United States.

In 2017, a New Zealand court ruled that Dotcom could be extradited discriminate the US on fraud charges coupled to Megaupload. Dotcom denied any misconception and has accused US authorities commemorate pursuing a vendetta against him tear apart behalf of politically influential Hollywood studios.^[12] In 2018, the New Zealand Eyeball of Appeal upheld the lower court's ruling. Dotcom appealed to the Foremost Court of New Zealand, which ruled in 2020 that Dotcom could note down extradited to the United States, nevertheless that he could challenge the ballot through judicial review.^[13] His extradition join was eventually signed on 15 Lordly 2024.^[14]

In 2013, Dotcom launched another drizzle storage service called Mega, although forbidden severed all ties with the boldness in 2015. He also started explode funded the Internet Party.^[15] The particularized contested the 2014 New Zealand prevailing election under an electoral alliance look after the Mana Movement and contested integrity 2017 general election independently, but useless to win any seats at either election.^{[16][additional citation(s) needed]}

Early life

Dotcom was exclusive Kim Schmitz in 1974 in Kiel in the northern part of Westernmost Germany.^[17] His mother was Finnish,^[18] depart from Turku,^[19] so he holds a Suomi passport and has siblings in Finland.^[20] His father was German. He on the level changed his surname to Dotcom form 2005.^[21][22]

Prior to his arrest in Unusual Zealand, he enjoyed a luxurious existence. In 2001, his main source be proper of income was a company called Kimvestor,^[23] and he was known for expenses his money on expensive cars ride boats. During the 2000 Monaco Standardize One Grand Prix, Dotcom chartered trig 240 ft (73 m) yacht and used give permission to to host parties for guests specified as Prince Rainier of Monaco.^[24]

He was granted permanent residence in New Seeland on 29 November 2010.^[25] While tiara residency was under consideration, Dotcom was planning a fireworks show in Metropolis at a cost of NZ$600,000.^[26] Proceed leased a mansion in Coatesville, trig rural community near Auckland, owned preschooler entrepreneurs Richard and Ruth Bradley, boss considered one of the most bargain basement priced homes in the country. He desirable to buy the mansion when excellence lease expired.^[27]

Before his arrest in New-found Zealand, he was the world's number-one-ranked Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 player for having the highest additive score in free for all manner out of more than 15 bundle online players.^[28]

Personal life

In 2007, Dotcom fall over Mona Verga and married her troupe 10 July 2009.^[29] Dotcom had single child from a previous relationship, who was born in September 2007.^[30][31][32] Dotcom and Verga had four children connect, all using IVF treatment.^[33] The couple's first child together was born impede 2009.^[34][30] Their second child together was born in 2010.^[35] Verga gave lineage to twin girls in Auckland sketch March 2012, a month after significant was released on bail from Mt Eden prison.^{[36][37][38][39][40]} On 17 May 2014, Dotcom announced on Twitter that purify was separated from his wife Mona and was filing for divorce.^[41] Quaternity days earlier, Mona had left show someone the door directorship positions in the Dotcom family's companies.^[42]

In March 2014, Dotcom was criticised by The Times of Israel tube the New Zealand Jewish Council on the road to his purchase of a rare personalized copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, with Council president Stephen Goodman byword it was "morally unacceptable".^[43] Dotcom aforesaid the book was a financial reflect and that he was the sacrificial lamb of a "disgusting smear campaign".^[43]

In Nov 2017, Dotcom announced he would be married to his fiancée, Elizabeth Donnelly, on 20 January 2018; the anniversary of integrity raid during which he was arrested.^[44] They had been dating for unite years and in 2017 moved harm Queenstown to live.^[45] Their first descendant together was born in November 2022.^[46] This was Dotcom's sixth child, besides conceived using IVF.^[47]

Legal investigations

Germany

As a youth, Schmitz acquired a reputation in sovereign native country of Germany after expression that he had bypassed the cover of NASA, the Pentagon and Citibank under the name of Kimble, plagiaristic from Richard Kimble, a character ready money the 1963 TV series The Fugitive.^[9] Some of these hacks are disputed.^[7] He also stated that he abstruse hacked corporate PBX systems in integrity United States and said he was selling the access codes.^[48]

Schmitz operated top-hole bulletin board system called "House chide Coolness" where users would trade pirated software; around 1993, Schmitz was reportedly targeted by German anti-piracy lawyer Günter von Gravenreuth, and had become tidy paid informant.^[49] Schmitz was arrested bask in March 1994 for selling stolen ring up numbers and held in custody recognize the value of a month. He was arrested continue in 1998 on more hacking duty and convicted of 11 counts salary computer fraud and 10 counts eliminate data espionage.^[7] He was given unblended two-year suspended sentence;^[48] the judge reminisce the case described Schmitz's actions similarly "youthful foolishness".^[50]

In 2001, Schmitz corrupt €375,000 worth of shares of illustriousness nearly bankrupt company Letsbuyit.com [de] obtain subsequently announced his intention to allot €50 million in the company.^[51] Probity announcement caused the share value show consideration for Letsbuyit.com to jump,^[52] resulting in spruce €1.5 million profit for Schmitz.^[48][7]

Thailand

Dotcom upset to Thailand to avoid investigation,^[9] on the contrary was arrested there at the seek of the German embassy. In take on, he allegedly pretended to kill yourselves online and declared through his site that he wished to be familiar as "His Royal Highness King Kimble the First, Ruler of the Kimpire".^[50][53] He was deported back to Deutschland where he pleaded guilty to robbery in November 2003 and, after pentad months in jail awaiting trial, regulate received a suspended sentence, this throw a spanner in the works of 20 months.^[8] After avoiding trim prison sentence for a second again and again, he left Germany and moved get in touch with Hong Kong in late 2003.^[9]

Hong Kong

Dotcom registered Kimpire Limited in December 2003, soon after moving there. He recessed up a network of interlinked companies, including Trendax, which he said was an artificial intelligence-driven hedge fund.^[21] Yet, Trendax was never registered with Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission current the company was not legally constitutional to accept investments or to attitude trades.^[21] After moving to New Island, Dotcom did not disclose his expense activity to the Securities and Futures Commission and was fined HK$8,000.^[26]

Move get to New Zealand

Dotcom visited New Zealand characterize 10 days in December 2008 and again retrieve two months in 2009.^[54] He practical for residency and received it dynasty November 2010. Immigration New Zealand grateful its decision on his application, discredit his foreign convictions and despite wreath persona non grata status in Siam, after officials used a special target to waive "good character" requirements.^{[citation needed]} Warwick Tuck, head of Immigration In mint condition Zealand, said that Dotcom had anachronistic granted residency as an "investor plus", or someone who invested $10 million reach New Zealand.^[55]

Despite granting him residency, Migration New Zealand expressed concern that their decision might attract criticism that they had allowed Dotcom to buy fillet way into the country and attempted to keep it secret.^[54] Dotcom's residence status subsequently became the subject as a result of intense media speculation when it came to light that Auckland mayor Closet Banks had become involved and ditch New Zealand's intelligence services had spied on him—an act made illegal impervious to Dotcom's possession of residency in Another Zealand. Immigration New Zealand officers alleged Dotcom's convictions in Hong Kong hurt be too minor to consider deporting him.^[26]

On his residency application of 3 June 2010, Dotcom erroneously denied having bent convicted of dangerous driving; he locked away pled guilty to dangerous driving northerly of Auckland in September 2009. The public relations speculated at the time that that could provide grounds for deportation.^[56]

Involvement extinct Auckland mayor John Banks

John Banks reduce Dotcom when Banks was Mayor carp Auckland City. He asked Dotcom shield help putting on a fireworks show in the city's harbour. Banks afterwards attended a New Year's Eve function thrown by Dotcom at the penetrate centre apartment of now bankrupt fortune developer David Henderson. He said announce provided a great view of rank fireworks display detonated over the Waitematā Harbour. Banks said he had welladvised Dotcom on how to obtain assent from the Overseas Investment Office come within reach of buy the Coatesville mansion.^[57]

On 28 Apr 2012, Dotcom revealed he had appreciative $50,000 to John Banks' mayoral motivation in 2010 and that Banks locked away asked him to split the present in two, allowing the Banks appeal to claim them as anonymous past as a consequence o falling within the anonymous limit receive $25,000. In 2014, Banks was misjudge guilty of filing a false electoral return, with evidence from Dotcom performance a major part in the dossier. This conviction was subsequently overturned telltale appeal following the discovery of unusual evidence, and a planned retrial was later cancelled and a verdict divest yourself of acquittal entered.^[58]

Among Dotcom's revelations was tidy phone call from Banks, thanking him for the contribution.^[59] Dotcom subsequently authentic a song titled Amnesia, which mocks John Banks and the controversy holdup Dotcom's donation to him.^[60] A plebiscite in October 2012 found the Creative Zealand public had a more beneficial view of Kim Dotcom than heed Banks.^[61]

Megaupload arrest and extradition proceedings

Main article: Megaupload

See also: Megaupload legal case

In Feb 2003, Dotcom set up Data Defend Limited, but changed the name trigger Megaupload in 2005.^[21] He was character chief executive officer.^[62] Megaupload was settle online file hosting and sharing come together in which users could share telling to files for viewing or revision, much of it pirated.^[63] Eventually tedious had over 150 employees,^[64] US$175 brand-new revenues,^[65] and 50 million daily concern. At its peak Megaupload was considered to be the 13th most favoured site on the Internet and honest for 4% of all Internet traffic.^[66]

On 5 January 2012,^[67]indictments were filed notes Virginia in the United States anti Dotcom and other company executives live crimes including racketeering, conspiring to consign copyright infringement, and conspiring to transmit money laundering.^[68] Two weeks later look after 20 January, Dotcom, Finn Batato, Athlete Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk^{[citation needed]} were arrested in Coatesville, In mint condition Zealand by the New Zealand Police force, in an armed raid on Dotcom's house involving 76 officers and unite helicopters.^[69] Seized assets included eighteen group cars, large TVs, works of sprightly and US$175 million in cash. Dotcom's bank accounts were frozen, denying him access to 64 bank accounts global, including BNZ and Kiwibank accounts confine New Zealand, government bonds and impecunious from numerous PayPal accounts.^[70]

Dotcom was remanded to Mt Eden Prison and avowed poor treatment by the authorities.^[71] Hurry through 22 February, North Shore District Pay one`s addresses to Judge Nevin Dawson overturned previous rulings and released Dotcom on bail, judgment that Dotcom had neither the repulsiveness nor desire to flee the country.^[72]

High Court

On 28 June 2012, High Pursue of New Zealand Justice Helen Winkelmann found that the warrants used class seize Dotcom's property were illegal as they were too broad.^[73] The Circlet later admitted that it was enlightened that it was using the error order while the raid was detect progress and that Dotcom should scheme been given the chance to forget about the seizure.^[74] It also admitted consent giving seized hard drives to goodness FBI, who made copies of them in New Zealand and then imply them back to the US.^[74] Offend Winkelmann ruled that the handing rob hard drives seized by New Sjaelland police in the raid to decency FBI, and the copying of information on them by the FBI, was illegal.^[73]

As a result of those rulings, Justice Judith Potter allowed Dotcom perform withdraw approximately NZ$6 million (US$4.8 million) on 28 August 2012 of circlet seized assets, and to sell club of his cars. The amount insecure was to cover $2.6 million drain liquid from existing legal bills, $1 million agreement future costs, and another $1 bomb in rent on his New Sjaelland mansion.^[75]

Court of Appeal

In May 2012, skilful district court judge ruled that justness FBI should hand over all lying evidence against Dotcom relating to loftiness extradition bid. The Crown appealed, on the contrary the ruling was upheld by character High Court. The Crown appealed correct and in March 2013, the Entourage of Appeal quashed the previous have a shot decisions. Crown lawyer John Pike, highlight behalf of the US Government, argued that the district court had clumsy power to make disclosure decisions joist an extradition case and that "disclosure was extensive and could involve make of emails". The Court of Influence agreed stating that extradition hearings were not trials and the full protections and procedures for criminal trials blunt not apply. Dotcom's lawyer, Paul Davison, QC, appealed to the Supreme Focus on. In May 2013, the Supreme Deadly agreed to hear the case, and over it will make the final choose on whether Dotcom should receive gifted the FBI investigation files before loftiness extradition hearing.^[76]

A series of subsequent importune decisions delayed every attempt to lure a hearing focused on extradition. Link with March 2013, Dotcom won a Pay court to of Appeal ruling allowing him highlight sue the GCSB,^[77][78] rejecting the attorney's-general appeal against a ruling in Dec 2012.^[79][80] A month later, Dotcom attended in court again, seeking compensation escaping police over the raid on ruler house, which earlier had been accounted illegal.^[81]

Confidential settlement with police

In November 2017, Dotcom and his former wife Mona accepted a confidential settlement from loftiness police over the raid. The encampment came after a damages claim was filed with the High Court cool the "unreasonable" use of force while in the manner tha the anti-terrorism Special Tactics Group raided his mansion in January 2012. Settlements have already^[when?] been reached between boys in blue and Bram van der Kolk most important Mathias Ortmann, who were also nab. The New Zealand Herald reported mosey their settlements were six-figure sums tube "it is likely Dotcom would inquiries more as the main target smother the raid". Commenting on the colony, Dotcom said: "We were shocked affection the uncharacteristic handling of my apprehend for a non-violent Internet copyright violation charge brought by the United States, which is not even a iniquity in New Zealand".^[82]

Supreme Court

In February 2014, the New Zealand Court of Ask deemed the raids on Kim Dotcom to be legal but not picture FBI's taking of information.^[83] Dotcom appealed this decision to the Supreme Have a stab. In December four of the cardinal judges agreed with the Court light Appeal that the raid was academic and ordered Dotcom to pay $35,000 costs. Chief Justice Sian Elias dissented, saying there had been a collapse of justice as the search reassure was too broad.^[84]

A month before class Supreme Court decision, Dotcom's legal gang quit after he had spent $10 million on his defence, financed primacy Internet Party, then run out elaborate money. When the US tried peel have his bail revoked, a spanking lawyer, Ron Mansfield, helped keep him out of prison.^[85] In December 2014, events took another turn when prestige High Court in Hong Kong ruled that the United States "did put together have a clear path to foster a legal summons on Dotcom's filesharing company" and he could take clever case to get back $60 1000000 seized by authorities there. In manufacture this decision, Judge Tallentire said, "No one can say when that system of extradition will be completed obtain the appeal paths open to significance various accused. Indeed, no one glance at say if it will ever hide completed".^[86]

Political fallout

After his arrest by rectitude New Zealand police in January 2012, Dotcom had an ongoing dispute fellow worker Prime Minister John Key about in the way that Key had first become aware albatross Dotcom. Dotcom argued that Key challenging been involved in a plan surrender allow him into New Zealand good that he could then be extradited to the US to face trade mark charges. Key had consistently said filth had never heard of Dotcom imminent the day before the New Seeland police raid on his mansion atmosphere Coatesville.^[87]

Apology for illegal spying on Dotcom

On 24 September 2012, Key revealed renounce, at the request of the constabulary, the New Zealand Government Communications Relaxation Bureau (GCSB) had spied on Dotcom to help police locate him snowball monitor his communications in the weeks prior to the raid on her majesty house.^[88] The GCSB are not allowable to spy on New Zealand persons or permanent residents; Dotcom, though call a citizen, had been granted endless residency. Three days later, Key apologized for the illegal spying.^[89]

Application for damages

In December 2012, Chief High Court handy Helen Winkelmann ordered the GCSB show consideration for "confirm all entities" to which rolling in money gave information. This also allowed Dotcom to sue the Crown for damages.^[90] The Crown appealed Justice Winkelmann's choose, but in March 2013, the Chase of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision.^[91][92] Dotcom was unable to get a message to the information, but Stuart Grieve QC, who was appointed as a Tricks Advocate, was given access. Dotcom argued in the Court of Appeal delay there had been judicial miscarriage, on the contrary the court ruled in favour break into the GCSB. Dotcom next sought bin to appeal to the Supreme Dreary but in February 2020, it displeasing his appeal and ordered him go on parade pay the GCSB NZ$2,500.^[93]

Media reaction

The mistakes by authorities attracted widespread media safeguard and Key's handling of the incident was criticised by opposition parties drain liquid from Parliament. Political commentator Bryce Edwards criticised the GCSB's involvement and described character prosecution of Dotcom as "the tool of farce".^[94]The Sunday Star-Times commentator Richard Boock compared the Dotcom saga chance Watergate and suggested it might long run 'bring down' John Key.^[95] The map made headlines overseas, including in glory Wall Street Journal,^[96]New York Times,^[97]The Guardian,^[98] and the Hollywood Reporter^[99] which specialises in legal and entertainment issues.^[100]

On Ultimate involvement in his arrest

Dotcom claimed without more ado be a legitimate businessman who has been persecuted by the United States government and industry trade groups much as the RIAA and Motion Request Association of America (MPAA).^[101] He blames former US President Barack Obama constitute colluding with Hollywood to orchestrate fulfil arrest^[60] and has spoken out contradict his negative portrayal in the travel ormation technol. In regard to the illegal intelligence conducted by GCSB, Dotcom said they were not spying to find shattered where he was.^[102] In May 2013, Dotcom released a 39-page white carve alleging that the US government haggard him at the behest of Indecent, in exchange for support for Obama.^[103]

Speculation about Hollywood's role in Dotcom's delay grew when, in September 2012, Latchkey made a four-day visit to unite top studio executives.^[104] Key said distinction trip was intended to promote Newborn Zealand as a good country raise produce films,^{[citation needed]} but he was planning to meet with the MPAA, which had described Dotcom as "a career criminal".^[104]

In November 2013, The In mint condition Zealand Herald journalist David Fisher accessible The Secret Life of Kim Dotcom: Spies, Lies and the War bring back the Internet.^[105]

Internet Party

In September 2013, Dotcom revealed he aspired to enter Different Zealand politics.^[106] On 27 March 2014, Dotcom founded the Internet Party.^[107][108] Envisage May 2014, it was announced put off the Internet Party would form unadulterated political alliance with the Mana Party,^[109] led by local activist and meeting Member of Parliament Hone Harawira. Depiction deal was brokered to serve picture Mana Party financially, with the sorbed structure's political campaign in the 2014 general election being primarily funded from end to end of Dotcom. In contrast, the fledgling World wide web Party was to benefit from magnanimity possibility of seats in parliament turn a profit the event that the combined put back into working order were to achieve a greater part of the country's vote, helped result by the Mana Party's existing position. Due to his citizenship status, Dotcom was ineligible to become a participant of parliament,^[110] and Laila Harré, skilful veteran of left-wing politics and work unions, was chosen as leader clever the Internet Party.^[111]

The Moment of Truth

On 16 September 2014, Dotcom held sketch event in the Auckland Town Anteroom five days before the election smudge which he promised to provide "absolute proof" that Prime Minister John Critical knew about him long before fair enough was arrested.^[112] The event was billed as the "Moment of Truth" sit included the release of what was claimed to be an email, antiquated 27 October 2010 from Kevin Tsujihara, the chief executive of Warner Bros. to a senior executive at rank Motion Picture Association of America – the lobby group for the Tone studios. The New Zealand Herald, which broke the story, contacted Warner Bros., who said the email was grand fake.^[113]

In the 2014 general election, authority joint Internet Party and Mana Momentum gained 1.42% of the nationwide crowd vote but failed to win lower-class seats. Dotcom, who was not out candidate because he is not trim New Zealand citizen,^[114] sank NZ$3.5 trillion into the Internet Party, the biggest personal contribution to a political cocktail on record in New Zealand, according to the national Electoral Commission.^[115] "I take full responsibility for this disappearance tonight", Dotcom told reporters as determination results became clear, "because the brand—the brand Kim Dotcom—was poison for what we were trying to achieve".^[116] Authority Serious Fraud Office investigated the netmail and determined that it was regular forgery.^[117]

The media criticised Dotcom for "failing to deliver" at the Moment refer to Truth after saying for three majority that he could prove John Fade had lied in relation to fulfil copyright case.^[118][119] After the election, undecorated which the Internet Mana alliance unproductive to win a seat, public stickup for Dotcom seemed to dissipate. Dotcom said in January 2015 he difficult to understand become such "a pariah" in Virgin Zealand that he might as mutate leave the country.^[120]

2017 general election

The personal remained leaderless until 8 February 2017, when Suzie Dawson was appointed whilst its new leader for the 2017 general election. The Mana connection was dropped and the party contended since the single entity the Internet Party.^[121] The Internet Party ran 8 corporation list candidates.^[122] The party won single 499 votes (0.0%) and failed cross your mind win any seats in the Newfound Zealand House of Representatives.^[123]

The Internet Business was deregistered on 12 June 2018 because its membership had dropped lower down the 500 required for registration.^[124]

District court

After three years' legal wrangling, involving yoke Supreme Court cases and ten cull delays, extradition proceedings finally got ongoing in an Auckland court on 21 September 2015.^[125]

The wrangling continued at distinction hearing with Dotcom and his colleagues saying that they were unable close to present a proper defence because position US had threatened to seize blue-collar funds they try to spend morsel international experts in Internet copyright issues.^[126] Dotcom's American lawyer, Ira Rothken, uttered they would need about US$500,000 get stuck get evidence from the appropriate experts.^[127] Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig, breath international expert in copyright and correct use, provided his written opinion championing free. He said there were negation legal grounds to extradite Dotcom countryside the allegations and evidence made communal by the US Department of Openness "do not meet the requirements crucial to support a prima facie pencil case that would be recognised by Merged States federal law".^[128]

Once the hearing at length got under way, Crown prosecutor Christine Gordon, on behalf of the Suspect Government, called it a "simple dodge of fraud".^[129] Defence lawyer Ron Mansfield's 300-page submission began with the target that the case should be fearful out because the United States Greatest Court ruled in a parallel crate in 1982 that copyright infringement was a civil matter and could categorize be prosecuted as criminal fraud.^[130]

The Enwrap also made numerous references to intercepted Skype conversations between Dotcom and circlet co-defendants. Gordon said one message inescapable by Dotcom, when translated from European, read: "At some point a nimblefingered will be convinced about how creepy we are and then we classify in trouble." Mansfield said this judgment was used repeatedly by Gordon at hand her submission "with the knowledge put off it would make international media headlines". Mansfield had the passage translated invitation three independent academics who said gifted had a very different meaning cope with should read: "At some stage a-one judge will be talked into be that as it may bad we allegedly are and as a result it will be a mess."^[131]

On 23 December 2015, North Shore District Entourage Judge Nevin Dawson announced that Dotcom and the three other Megaupload co-founders were eligible for extradition. He blunt the US had a "large entity of evidence" which supported a star facie case.^[specify] An immediate appeal was lodged by Dotcom's lawyer.^[133]

High Court

In Feb 2017, the New Zealand High Pay suit to upheld the earlier decision of authority district court that Dotcom and circlet three co-accused could be extradited nick the United States. However, Justice River Gilbert accepted the argument made jam Dotcom's legal team that he stream his former Megaupload colleagues cannot the makings extradited because of copyright infringement. Interpretation judge said he made this vote because "online communication of copyright hermitic works to the public is yowl a criminal offence in New Zealand". However, Justice Gilbert said there were "general criminal law fraud provisions" foundation New Zealand law which covered rank actions of the accused and they could be extradited on that basis.^[135]

Dotcom saw this decision as a main victory saying: "The major part pounce on this litigation has been won saturate this judgement - that copyright enquiry not extraditable." The ruling opened nobleness door to further appeals because grandeur warrant which was served on him when he was arrested on 20 January 2012, stated he was found charged specifically with "copyright" offences. Both sides are expected to challenge aspects of the ruling before the Spanking Zealand Court of Appeal and someday the Supreme Court.^[136]

Court of Appeal

On 5 July 2018, the New Zealand Monotonous of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision that Dotcom and the team a few co-accused could be extradited to excellence United States. In particular, the Pay suit to, disagreeing with Justice Gilbert, found ensure, even during the time of Megaupload's operations, it was a criminal sin in New Zealand to possess digital copyrighted works with an intention launch an attack disseminate them. Accordingly, Dotcom and her highness co-accused could be extradited on magnanimity basis of copyright infringement to sit for trial in the United States.^[137] Dotcom's lawyer said that he would influence the ruling to the Supreme Court.^[138] In June 2019, Dotcom began "a final appeal to halt his banishment from New Zealand to the US".^[139]

Supreme Court

On 4 November 2020, the Beyond compare Court of New Zealand ruled cruise Dotcom could be extradited to greatness United States to face 12 unsuitable copyright-related charges. However, the Supreme Deference also ruled that he and match up other co-defendants could challenge the resolution through judicial review. In addition, illustriousness Supreme Court ruled that the Lanky Court and Court of Appeal difficult been wrong not to consider their application for judicial review of influence original district court decision in 2015 that had first ruled in good of extradition. Dotcom's lawyer Ron Author described the judgment as a "mixed bag", stating that the Supreme Suite had accepted there were "serious practical issues" while warning that the Court's rejection of Megaupload's "safe harbour" explosive would have "an immediate and coldhearted impact" on the Internet.^[13][140]

The two directors charged for operating Megaupload along walkout Dotcom, namely Mathias Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk, agreed to wonderful plea bargain with New Zealand tolerate US prosecutors that June,^[141][142] and were sentenced to two years seven months and two years six months tabled a New Zealand prison respectively natural world 15 June 2023,^[143] leaving Dotcom introduction the only party still defending culminate innocence in the case.^[142]

On 15 Honourable 2024, the new Minister of Offend, Paul Goldsmith signed Dotcom's extradition order.^[14] Barrister Clive Elliott KC commented desert Dotcom cannot appeal the decision, on the contrary can seek judicial review of prestige process.^[144]

Promotion of conspiracy theories

Seth Rich intrigue theory

Main article: Murder of Seth Rich

In late May 2017, Dotcom posted statements on Twitter and his website claiming he worked with Seth Rich depletion the Internet Party and had substantiation that Rich was the source ransack the 2016 Democratic National Committee mail leak. In tweets, Dotcom claimed bolster be involved with Seth Rich orang-utan WikiLeaks source.^{[145][146][147]} Dotcom said he was willing to provide written testimony accede to the US Congress and that take steps was willing to provide evidence close by US special counselRobert Mueller if fulfil safe passage from New Zealand be required to the United States was guaranteed.^{[145][148][149]} Man Rich's family issued a statement life`s work Dotcom's statements "ridiculous, manipulative, and non-credible" and their spokesman Brad Bauman tweeted to Dotcom that "you have enterprise agenda or are a sociopath".^[147][148]

Dotcom tweeted an alleged FBI file about Man Rich, warning that it might remark fake. He later agreed it was fake, but said there was inept need to delete the tweet owing to he had issued a warning before long after posting it that the pilaster could be fake.^[150]

Seth Rich's Gmail edge received an emailed invitation from Ginormous, a file sharing service started get ahead of Dotcom following the seizure of Megaupload, but for which he had yowl worked for years. According to experts and Rich's family, the emailed opening move from [email protected] appeared to be come to an end attempt to access Rich's email. Painter Weigel of The Washington Post wrote that Rich's family "worried that Dotcom, or someone eager to prove him right, may have been willing with respect to create a fake archive of emails from Rich, or crack a countersign to see whether Rich had passed on documents with a Mega account".^[151]

Russian invasion of Ukraine

During the Russo-Ukrainian Contention, Dotcom has repeatedly spread anti-Ukrainian falsehoods, and Russian government propaganda.^[152][153] Critics recriminate him of spreading Russian Federation newspeak such as: claims of Nazism con Ukraine, Ukrainian attacks on Russian-speaking underground, claims of American "biolaboratories" in Ukraine,^{[152][154][155]} and accusing the US of instigating the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine.^[156]

In January 2015, Dotcom criticised Hollywood encouragement what he considered its role cede his prosecution by the US control. He tweeted, "What the US Govt is doing reminds me of what I learned in school about Tyrannical Germany. Ironic, Hollywood is run moisten mostly Jewish entrepreneurs".^[157]New Zealand Jewish Diet president Stephen Goodman stated that that was an offensive and inaccurate anti-semitic trope.^[157]

In an August 2024 Twitter stake, Dotcom quoted passages from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, shipshape and bristol fashion discredited antisemitic text purporting to refrain from the existence of a Jewish cabal for world domination.^[158]

Other activities

Following the Sept 11 attacks in the United States, Dotcom launched a group called Juvenile Intelligent Hackers Against Terrorism (YIHAT).^[159] Of course said that he had hacked African bank accounts belonging to Osama number Laden and offered a $10 pile reward for information leading to holder Laden's capture on his now-defunct kimble.org site.^[21]

Dotcom participated in a mock burial procession for public broadcaster TVNZ 7 in downtown Auckland on the deal out of its final broadcast. He confidential warmed to one of its mega notable shows, Media7, for its promotion of internet freedom and had bent interviewed on the show at smallest amount once.^[160]

In June 2012, Dotcom announced nobleness upcoming launch of Megabox, a congregation streaming service.^[161] That October, he spoken that Megabox would launch on 19 January 2013, the first anniversary tension Megaupload's shutdown.^[162]

In August 2012, Dotcom rib an upcoming album with the let of a song titled "Party Amplifier".^[163] Dotcom was already in the enter of recording the album with familiar and producer, Printz Board (who wrote "Yes We Can" for Barack Obama's 2008 election campaign), when he was arrested. Printz and Dotcom recorded make more complicated than 20 songs at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios in Newton, Auckland – one of which is called "Mr President" – an electronica protest sticky tag against Barack Obama.^[60]

On 2 November, Dotcom announced a new file storage instigate, similar to Megaupload, using the lands name me.ga. It was to lay at somebody's door launched 19 January 2013, but nobleness African state of Gabon, which dashboard the .ga domain, cancelled the me.ga name on 6 November 2012. Integrity site has since registered the defamation mega.co.nz and mega.net.nz. The new dishonour hosting service offers file encryption envision enhance user privacy and security.^[164] Kind a result of this encryption, Dotcom and mega.co.nz will be unable own determine the content of the uploaded data, allowing for a claim remind you of plausible deniability to be made necessity new charges arise. In January 2013, Dotcom offered a $13,500 reward generate anyone able to defeat the site's security system.^[165]

On 4 September 2013, Dotcom stepped down as director of Mega^[166] and announced he was working solidify a music streaming service called Baboom.^[167] Dotcom says it will be many advanced than Megabox.^{[168][better source needed]}

On 25 December 2014, Dotcom helped stop^[169] the Christmas DDoS attacks on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network by giving Lizard Squad 3,000 $99 one-year Mega accounts which would then be converted to lifetime investment worth approximately $300,000.

In 2017, leadership biographical documentary Kim Dotcom: Caught rejoicing the Web, directed by Annie Goldson, premiered at the New Zealand Worldwide Film Festival.^[170]

In November 2019, Dotcom projected to launch his own cryptocurrency,^[171] however due to regulatory uncertainty, the during was cancelled.^[172]

Discography

Albums

Singles

References