Megaupload founder back in court
- 12 years ago
A court hearing for Kim Dotcom, the founder of Megaupload-dot-com, and suspected kingpin of an Internet piracy ring.
Dotcom says that Hollywood's interests are highly politicized.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) KIM DOTCOM, MEGAUPLOAD FOUNDER, SAYING:
"Hollywood is one of the most significant contributors to the campaign of Obama and his re-election. So when you look at all of this, I think it's really a very commercial interest by the United States and they are trying to defend an outdated business model."
Prosecutors say Dotcom's group netted 175 million U.S. dollars since 2005 by distributing copyrighted materials without authorisation.
Dotcom's lawyers say the company simply offered online storage.
U.S. authorities are seeking to extradite him from New Zealand, where he is living on bail.
The extradition hearing is set for August.
Sarah Sheffer, Reuters
Dotcom says that Hollywood's interests are highly politicized.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) KIM DOTCOM, MEGAUPLOAD FOUNDER, SAYING:
"Hollywood is one of the most significant contributors to the campaign of Obama and his re-election. So when you look at all of this, I think it's really a very commercial interest by the United States and they are trying to defend an outdated business model."
Prosecutors say Dotcom's group netted 175 million U.S. dollars since 2005 by distributing copyrighted materials without authorisation.
Dotcom's lawyers say the company simply offered online storage.
U.S. authorities are seeking to extradite him from New Zealand, where he is living on bail.
The extradition hearing is set for August.
Sarah Sheffer, Reuters