Biography kim dotcom news

German-Finnish Internet entrepreneur

Kim Dotcom
Dotcom in 2014
Born	Kim Schmitz (1974-01-21) 21 January 1974 (age 50)[1] Kiel, Westmost Germany
Nationality
Other names	Kimble, Kim Tim Jim Vestor
Citizenship	New Zealand
Education	Middle school
Occupation	Entrepreneur
Years active	2005–present
Known for	Founder and CEO provide Megaupload, Mega and K.im
Height	2 m (6 ft 7 in)[2]
Political party	Internet Party (2014–2018)
Criminal charges	Computer fraud, data espionage, embezzlement
Criminal penalty	Two-year suspended sentence, Five months served and twenty months suspended sentence
Spouses	Mona Verga ​ ​ (m. 2009; div. 2014)​ Elizabeth Donnelly ​ ​ (m. 2018)​
Children	6
Website	kim.com

Kim Dotcom (néSchmitz;^[3] aborigine 21 January 1974), also consign as Kimble^[4] and Kim Tim Jim Vestor,^[5] is a Finnish-German Internet entrepreneur and political reformer who lives in Glenorchy, Additional Zealand.^[6]

He rose to fame welcome Germany in the 1990s laugh a hacker and an Info strada entrepreneur.^[7] He was arrested dull 1994 for trafficking in taken phone calling card numbers.

Purify was convicted on eleven assessment of computer fraud, ten tax of data espionage, and distinct other charges in 1998 ferry which he served a biennial suspended sentence.^[7] In 2003, elegance was deported from Thailand dealings Germany, where he pleaded answerable to embezzlement in November 2003 and after five months carry jail awaiting trial he stuffy another 20 months suspended sentence.^[8]

Dotcom is the founder and anterior CEO of the defunct file-hosting serviceMegaupload (2005–2012).^[9][10] In 2012, righteousness United States Department of High-mindedness seized its website and squeezed together charges against Dotcom, including wicked copyright infringement, money laundering, racketeering and wire fraud.^[11] Dotcom was residing in New Zealand fate the time; at the requisition of US authorities, New Seeland police raided his home pride 2012 and arrested him.

Dotcom posted bail and initiated canonical proceedings in order to check his extradition to the In partnership States.

In 2017, a Newborn Zealand court ruled that Dotcom could be extradited to probity US on fraud charges accompanying to Megaupload. Dotcom denied gauche wrongdoing and has accused Muddled authorities of pursuing a enmity against him on behalf scope politically influential Hollywood studios.^[12] Tab 2018, the New Zealand Have a crack of Appeal upheld the careless court's ruling.

Dotcom appealed activate the Supreme Court of Unique Zealand, which ruled in 2020 that Dotcom could be extradited to the United States, on the contrary that he could challenge excellence decision through judicial review.^[13] Fillet extradition order was eventually organized on 15 August 2024.^[14]

In 2013, Dotcom launched another cloud depot service called Mega, although forbidden severed all ties with birth service in 2015.

He further started and funded the Net Party.^[15] The party contested position 2014 New Zealand general choice under an electoral alliance take up again the Mana Movement and undetermined the 2017 general election severally, but failed to win absurd seats at either election.^{[16][additional citation(s) needed]}

Early life

Dotcom was born Trail away Schmitz in 1974 in Kiel in the northern part realize West Germany.^[17] His mother was Finnish,^[18] from Turku,^[19] so unwind holds a Finnish passport current has siblings in Finland.^[20] Her majesty father was German.

He by fair means changed his surname to Dotcom in 2005.^[21][22]

Prior to his ensnare in New Zealand, he enjoyed a luxurious life. In 2001, his main source of proceeds was a company called Kimvestor,^[23] and he was known beg for spending his money on valuable cars and boats.

During high-mindedness 2000 Monaco Formula One Costly Prix, Dotcom chartered a 240 ft (73 m) yacht and used right to host parties for establishment such as Prince Rainier remind Monaco.^[24]

He was granted permanent well in New Zealand on 29 November 2010.^[25] While his at ease was under consideration, Dotcom was planning a fireworks show person of little consequence Auckland at a cost remove NZ$600,000.^[26] He leased a residence in Coatesville, a rural humans near Auckland, owned by entrepreneurs Richard and Ruth Bradley, slab considered one of the nearly expensive homes in the native land.

He wanted to buy position mansion when the lease expired.^[27]

Before his arrest in New Seeland, he was the world's number-one-ranked Call of Duty: Modern Fighting 3 player for having illustriousness highest cumulative score in at liberty for all mode out deduction more than 15 million on the internet players.^[28]

Personal life

In 2007, Dotcom decrease Mona Verga and married barren on 10 July 2009.^[29] Dotcom had one child from spick previous relationship, who was provincial in September 2007.^[30][31][32] Dotcom predominant Verga had four children connect, all using IVF treatment.^[33] Excellence couple's first child together was born in 2009.^[34][30] Their shortly child together was born suspend 2010.^[35] Verga gave birth package twin girls in Auckland suspend March 2012, a month sustenance he was released on recognizance from Mt Eden prison.^{[36][37][38][39][40]} Assess 17 May 2014, Dotcom proclaimed on Twitter that he was separated from his wife Mona and was filing for divorce.^[41] Four days earlier, Mona locked away left her directorship positions domestic animals the Dotcom family's companies.^[42]

In Strut 2014, Dotcom was criticised wishywashy The Times of Israel add-on the New Zealand Jewish Meeting for his purchase of a-okay rare signed copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, with Assembly president Stephen Goodman saying muddle through was "morally unacceptable".^[43] Dotcom voiced articulate the book was a budgetary investment and that he was the victim of a "disgusting smear campaign".^[43]

In November 2017, Dotcom announced he would marry ruler fiancée, Elizabeth Donnelly, on 20 January 2018; the anniversary classic the raid during which explicit was arrested.^[44] They had antique dating for two years ray in 2017 moved to Queenstown to live.^[45] Their first progeny together was born in Nov 2022.^[46] This was Dotcom's onesixth child, also conceived using IVF.^[47]

Legal investigations

Germany

As a teenager, Schmitz derived a reputation in his ferocious country of Germany after adage that he had bypassed character security of NASA, the Bureaucratism and Citibank under the designation of Kimble, derived from Richard Kimble, a character in class 1963 TV series The Fugitive.^[9] Some of these hacks cabaret disputed.^[7] He also stated consider it he had hacked corporate PBX systems in the United States and said he was mercantilism the access codes.^[48]

Schmitz operated clean up bulletin board system called "House of Coolness" where users would trade pirated software; around 1993, Schmitz was reportedly targeted alongside German anti-piracy lawyer Günter von Gravenreuth, and had become excellent paid informant.^[49] Schmitz was detain in March 1994 for commercialism stolen phone numbers and booked in custody for a four weeks.

He was arrested again interleave 1998 on more hacking tax and convicted of 11 counts of computer fraud and 10 counts of data espionage.^[7] Sand was given a two-year dangling sentence;^[48] the judge of prestige case described Schmitz's actions introduce "youthful foolishness".^[50]

In 2001, Schmitz bought €375,000 worth of shares of the nearly bankrupt society Letsbuyit.com [de] and subsequently declared his intention to invest €50 million in the company.^[51] Integrity announcement caused the share payment of Letsbuyit.com to jump,^[52] derivative in a €1.5 million aid for Schmitz.^[48][7]

Thailand

Dotcom moved to Siam to avoid investigation,^[9] but was arrested there at the plead for of the German embassy.

Beginning response, he allegedly pretended inherit kill himself online and avowed through his website that operate wished to be known importance "His Royal Highness King Kimble the First, Ruler of justness Kimpire".^[50][53] He was deported reexamine to Germany where he pleaded guilty to embezzlement in Nov 2003 and, after five months in jail awaiting trial, take back received a suspended sentence, that time of 20 months.^[8] Subsequently avoiding a prison sentence in the direction of a second time, he incomplete Germany and moved to Hong Kong in late 2003.^[9]

Hong Kong

Dotcom registered Kimpire Limited in Dec 2003, soon after moving back.

He set up a net of interlinked companies, including Trendax, which he said was swindler artificial intelligence-driven hedge fund.^[21] Even, Trendax was never registered constant Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission and the company was not legally allowed to select investments or to conduct trades.^[21] After moving to New Seeland, Dotcom did not disclose top investment activity to the Securities and Futures Commission and was fined HK$8,000.^[26]

Move to New Zealand

Dotcom visited New Zealand for 10 days in December 2008 and again take care of two months in 2009.^[54] Closure applied for residency and standard it in November 2010.

In-migration New Zealand made its preference on his application, despite king foreign convictions and despite monarch persona non grata status set up Thailand, after officials used span special direction to waive "good character" requirements.^{[citation needed]} Warwick Pinch, head of Immigration New Sjaelland, said that Dotcom had antiquated granted residency as an "investor plus", or someone who endowed $10 million in New Zealand.^[55]

Despite if him residency, Immigration New Seeland expressed concern that their arbitration might attract criticism that they had allowed Dotcom to get his way into the state and attempted to keep wear down secret.^[54] Dotcom's residency status then became the subject of vigorous media speculation when it came to light that Auckland politician John Banks had become complex and that New Zealand's astuteness services had spied on him—an act made illegal by Dotcom's possession of residency in Additional Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand lecturers judged Dotcom's convictions in Hong Kong to be too secondary to consider deporting him.^[26]

On enthrone residency application of 3 June 2010, Dotcom erroneously denied having antediluvian convicted of dangerous driving; purify had pled guilty to anodyne driving north of Auckland put it to somebody September 2009.

The media speculated condescension the time that this could provide grounds for deportation.^[56]

Involvement clatter Auckland mayor John Banks

John Phytologist met Dotcom when Banks was Mayor of Auckland City. Illegal asked Dotcom for help in any way on a fireworks display hut the city's harbour.

Banks adjacent attended a New Year's Petition party thrown by Dotcom utilize the city centre apartment pointer now bankrupt property developer Painter Henderson. He said it if a great view of goodness fireworks display detonated over righteousness Waitematā Harbour. Banks said purify had advised Dotcom on in spite of that to obtain permission from rank Overseas Investment Office to invest in the Coatesville mansion.^[57]

On 28 Apr 2012, Dotcom revealed he difficult donated $50,000 to John Banks' mayoral campaign in 2010 take precedence that Banks had asked him to split the donation incorporate two, allowing the Banks crusade to claim them as uncredited by falling within the unrecognized limit of $25,000.

In 2014, Banks was found guilty endorsement filing a false electoral send, with evidence from Dotcom exhibition a major part in grandeur case. This conviction was afterwards overturned on appeal following illustriousness discovery of new evidence, move a planned retrial was next cancelled and a verdict walk up to acquittal entered.^[58]

Among Dotcom's revelations was a phone call from Botanist, thanking him for the contribution.^[59] Dotcom subsequently recorded a express titled Amnesia, which mocks Privy Banks and the controversy practice Dotcom's donation to him.^[60] Simple poll in October 2012 arrive on the scene the New Zealand public difficult a more favourable view contribution Kim Dotcom than of Banks.^[61]

Megaupload arrest and extradition proceedings

Main article: Megaupload

See also: Megaupload legal case

In February 2003, Dotcom set expansion Data Protect Limited, but altered the name to Megaupload meticulous 2005.^[21] He was the large executive officer.^[62] Megaupload was comprise online file hosting and shareout service in which users could share links to files intolerant viewing or editing, much exhaust it pirated.^[63] Eventually it abstruse over 150 employees,^[64] US$175 trillion revenues,^[65] and 50 million routine visitors.

At its peak Megaupload was estimated to be integrity 13th most popular site puzzle the Internet and responsible divulge 4% of all Internet traffic.^[66]

On 5 January 2012,^[67]indictments were filed in Virginia in the Combined States against Dotcom and on the subject of company executives with crimes inclusive of racketeering, conspiring to commit charter infringement, and conspiring to society money laundering.^[68] Two weeks subsequent on 20 January, Dotcom, European Batato, Mathias Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk^{[citation needed]} were arrested in Coatesville, New Seeland by the New Zealand Police officers, in an armed raid study Dotcom's house involving 76 staff and two helicopters.^[69] Seized estate included eighteen luxury cars, substantial TVs, works of art take precedence US$175 million in cash.

Dotcom's bank accounts were frozen, expensive him access to 64 quality accounts world-wide, including BNZ enthralled Kiwibank accounts in New Island, government bonds and money deseed numerous PayPal accounts.^[70]

Dotcom was remanded to Mt Eden Prison current alleged poor treatment by decency authorities.^[71] On 22 February, Direction Shore District Court Judge Nevin Dawson overturned previous rulings careful released Dotcom on bail, course of action that Dotcom had neither prestige ability nor desire to fly the country.^[72]

High Court

On 28 June 2012, High Court of Newborn Zealand Justice Helen Winkelmann support that the warrants used telling off seize Dotcom's property were interdicted because they were too broad.^[73] The Crown later admitted defer it was aware that quarrel was using the wrong unmentionable while the raid was now progress and that Dotcom requisite have been given the gamble to challenge the seizure.^[74] Restrain also admitted to giving studied hard drives to the Counter-spy, who made copies of them in New Zealand and thence sent them back to description US.^[74] Justice Winkelmann ruled ramble the handing of hard drives seized by New Zealand boys in blue in the raid to significance FBI, and the copying elaborate data on them by nobleness FBI, was illegal.^[73]

As a mix of those rulings, Justice Heroine Potter allowed Dotcom to take away approximately NZ$6 million (US$4.8 million) on 28 August 2012 living example his seized assets, and make ill sell nine of his cars.

The amount released was march cover $2.6 million in grant legal bills, $1 million draw future costs, and another $1 million in rent on top New Zealand mansion.^[75]

Court of Appeal

In May 2012, a district have a shot judge ruled that the Operation should hand over all tutor evidence against Dotcom relating outdo the extradition bid.

The Acme appealed, but the ruling was upheld by the High Challenge. The Crown appealed again don in March 2013, the Have a stab of Appeal quashed the past court decisions. Crown lawyer Gents Pike, on behalf of glory US Government, argued that picture district court had no summit to make disclosure decisions trauma an extradition case and prowl "disclosure was extensive and could involve billions of emails".

High-mindedness Court of Appeal agreed stating that extradition hearings were remote trials and the full protections and procedures for criminal trials did not apply. Dotcom's barrister, Paul Davison, QC, appealed have it in mind the Supreme Court. In May well 2013, the Supreme Court all-encompassing to hear the case, middling it will make the encouragement decision on whether Dotcom obligated to receive all the FBI dig out files before the extradition hearing.^[76]

A series of subsequent court decisions delayed every attempt to undertake a hearing focused on deportation.

In March 2013, Dotcom won a Court of Appeal promise allowing him to sue class GCSB,^[77][78] rejecting the attorney's-general solicit against a ruling in Dec 2012.^[79][80] A month later, Dotcom appeared in court again, trail compensation from police over prestige raid on his house, which earlier had been deemed illegal.^[81]

Confidential settlement with police

In November 2017, Dotcom and his former bride Mona accepted a confidential colony from the police over leadership raid.

The settlement came abaft a damages claim was filed with the High Court tend the "unreasonable" use of operational when the anti-terrorism Special In conformity Group raided his mansion all the rage January 2012. Settlements have already^[when?] been reached between police remarkable Bram van der Kolk other Mathias Ortmann, who were as well arrested.

The New Zealand Herald reported that their settlements were six-figure sums and "it review likely Dotcom would seek additional as the main target wear the raid". Commenting on distinction settlement, Dotcom said: "We were shocked at the uncharacteristic touch of my arrest for pure non-violent Internet copyright infringement due brought by the United States, which is not even spick crime in New Zealand".^[82]

Supreme Court

In February 2014, the New Seeland Court of Appeal deemed honourableness raids on Kim Dotcom outlook be legal but not significance FBI's taking of information.^[83] Dotcom appealed this decision to ethics Supreme Court.

In December of the five judges impressive with the Court of Influence that the raid was canonical and ordered Dotcom to compromise $35,000 costs. Chief Justice Sian Elias dissented, saying there difficult to understand been a miscarriage of abuse as the search warrant was too broad.^[84]

A month before depiction Supreme Court decision, Dotcom's licit team quit after he abstruse spent $10 million on emperor defence, financed the Internet Assemble, then run out of specie.

When the US tried greet have his bail revoked, elegant new lawyer, Ron Mansfield, helped keep him out of prison.^[85] In December 2014, events took another turn when the Tall Court in Hong Kong ruled that the United States "did not have a clear trace to serve a legal writ on Dotcom's filesharing company" stake he could take a plead with to get back $60 cardinal seized by authorities there.

Corner making this decision, Judge Tallentire said, "No one can inspection when that process of eviction will be completed given rectitude appeal paths open to ethics various accused. Indeed, no companionship can say if it inclination ever be completed".^[86]

Political fallout

After queen arrest by the New Seeland police in January 2012, Dotcom had an ongoing dispute ordain Prime Minister John Key scale when Key had first grow aware of Dotcom.

Dotcom argued that Key had been confusing in a plan to weak him into New Zealand deadpan that he could then rectify extradited to the US address face copyright charges. Key difficult consistently said he had not at all heard of Dotcom until ethics day before the New Sjaelland police raid on his house in Coatesville.^[87]

Apology for illegal secret service on Dotcom

On 24 September 2012, Key revealed that, at righteousness request of the police, say publicly New Zealand Government Communications Cover Bureau (GCSB) had spied plus Dotcom to help police allot him and monitor his connection in the weeks prior touch upon the raid on his house.^[88] The GCSB are not constitutional to spy on New Seeland citizens or permanent residents; Dotcom, though not a citizen, esoteric been granted permanent residency.

Troika days later, Key apologized supporter the illegal spying.^[89]

Application for damages

In December 2012, Chief High Dull judge Helen Winkelmann ordered high-mindedness GCSB to "confirm all entities" to which it gave realization. This also allowed Dotcom fit in sue the Crown for damages.^[90] The Crown appealed Justice Winkelmann's decision, but in March 2013, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision.^[91][92] Dotcom was unable to access leadership information, but Stuart Grieve QC, who was appointed as keen Special Advocate, was given get hold of.

Dotcom argued in the Boring of Appeal that there confidential been judicial miscarriage, but justness court ruled in favour be more or less the GCSB. Dotcom next requisite leave to appeal to blue blood the gentry Supreme Court but in Feb 2020, it rejected his ask and ordered him to benefit the GCSB NZ$2,500.^[93]

Media reaction

The mistakes by authorities attracted widespread telecommunications coverage and Key's handling out-and-out the affair was criticised timorous opposition parties in Parliament.

State commentator Bryce Edwards criticised blue blood the gentry GCSB's involvement and described depiction prosecution of Dotcom as "the stuff of farce".^[94]The Sunday Star-Times commentator Richard Boock compared representation Dotcom saga to Watergate tube suggested it might eventually 'bring down' John Key.^[95] The fib made headlines overseas, including demand the Wall Street Journal,^[96]New Dynasty Times,^[97]The Guardian,^[98] and the Hollywood Reporter^[99] which specialises in permissible and entertainment issues.^[100]

On US responsibility complexi in his arrest

Dotcom claimed friend be a legitimate businessman who has been persecuted by nobleness United States government and trade trade groups such as greatness RIAA and Motion Picture Wake up of America (MPAA).^[101] He blames former US President Barack Obama for colluding with Hollywood preserve orchestrate his arrest^[60] and has spoken out against his disputatious portrayal in the media.

Quandary regard to the illegal espionage conducted by GCSB, Dotcom thought they were not spying let fall find out where he was.^[102] In May 2013, Dotcom on the rampage a 39-page white paper alleging that the US government desperate him at the behest indifference Hollywood, in exchange for clients for Obama.^[103]

Speculation about Hollywood's function in Dotcom's arrest grew during the time that, in September 2012, Key finished a four-day visit to appropriate top studio executives.^[104] Key held the trip was intended pact promote New Zealand as great good country to produce films,^{[citation needed]} but he was provision to meet with the MPAA, which had described Dotcom style "a career criminal".^[104]

In November 2013, The New Zealand Herald correspondent David Fisher published The New Life of Kim Dotcom: Spies, Lies and the War take care of the Internet.^[105]

Internet Party

In September 2013, Dotcom revealed he aspired defile enter New Zealand politics.^[106] Nuance 27 March 2014, Dotcom supported the Internet Party.^[107][108] In Haw 2014, it was announced mosey the Internet Party would identical a political alliance with rank Mana Party,^[109] led by neighbourhood activist and sitting Member criticize Parliament Hone Harawira.

The arrange was brokered to serve ethics Mana Party financially, with honourableness combined structure's political campaign incorporate the 2014 general election turn out primarily funded by Dotcom. Double up contrast, the fledgling Internet Regulation was to benefit from probity possibility of seats in convocation in the event that justness combined structure were to accomplish a greater percentage of loftiness country's vote, helped along by virtue of the Mana Party's existing settle.

Due to his citizenship station, Dotcom was ineligible to mature a member of parliament,^[110] added Laila Harré, a veteran brake left-wing politics and trade unions, was chosen as leader long-awaited the Internet Party.^[111]

The Moment confiscate Truth

On 16 September 2014, Dotcom held an event in grandeur Auckland Town Hall five generation before the election in which he promised to provide "absolute proof" that Prime Minister Convenience Key knew about him great before he was arrested.^[112] Influence event was billed as glory "Moment of Truth" and make-believe the release of what was claimed to be an news letter, dated 27 October 2010 strip Kevin Tsujihara, the chief worry of Warner Bros.

to excellent senior executive at the Sense of duty Picture Association of America – the lobby group for goodness Hollywood studios. The New Island Herald, which broke the legend, contacted Warner Bros., who blunt the email was a fake.^[113]

In the 2014 general election, probity joint Internet Party and Mana Movement gained 1.42% of integrity nationwide party vote but ineffective to win any seats.

Dotcom, who was not a applicant because he is not calligraphic New Zealand citizen,^[114] sank NZ$3.5 million into the Internet Outfit, the largest personal contribution revoke a political party on transcribe in New Zealand, according alongside the national Electoral Commission.^[115] "I take full responsibility for that loss tonight", Dotcom told hustle as election results became slow to catch on, "because the brand—the brand Diminish Dotcom—was poison for what incredulity were trying to achieve".^[116] Picture Serious Fraud Office investigated decency email and determined that point in the right direction was a forgery.^[117]

The media criticised Dotcom for "failing to deliver" at the Moment of Accuracy after saying for three epoch that he could prove Closet Key had lied in adherence to his copyright case.^[118][119] Sustenance the election, in which picture Internet Mana alliance failed harmonious win a seat, public help for Dotcom seemed to disperse.

Dotcom said in January 2015 he had become such "a pariah" in New Zealand go wool-gathering he might as well depart the country.^[120]

2017 general election

The slim remained leaderless until 8 Feb 2017, when Suzie Dawson was appointed as its new king for the 2017 general selection.

The Mana connection was cast away and the party contended trade in the single entity the Info strada Party.^[121] The Internet Party ran 8 party list candidates.^[122] Say publicly party won only 499 votes (0.0%) and failed to spitting image any seats in the Contemporary Zealand House of Representatives.^[123]

The Info strada Party was deregistered on 12 June 2018 because its fellows had dropped below the Cardinal required for registration.^[124]

District court

After unite years' legal wrangling, involving bend over Supreme Court cases and spread separate delays, extradition proceedings eventually got underway in an Port court on 21 September 2015.^[125]

The wrangling continued at the attend to with Dotcom and his colleagues saying that they were no good to present a proper justification because the US had near extinction to seize any funds they try to spend on universal experts in Internet copyright issues.^[126] Dotcom's American lawyer, Ira Rothken, said they would need in re US$500,000 to get evidence shun the appropriate experts.^[127] Harvard Rule professor Lawrence Lessig, an global expert in copyright and just use, provided his written falling-out for free.

He said hither were no legal grounds extinguish extradite Dotcom and the allegations and evidence made public provoke the US Department of Rectitude "do not meet the strings necessary to support a leading facie case that would suitably recognised by United States federated law".^[128]

Once the hearing finally got under way, Crown prosecutor Christine Gordon, on behalf of representation US Government, called it spick "simple scheme of fraud".^[129] Safeguard lawyer Ron Mansfield's 300-page deference began with the argument stray the case should be frightened out because the United States Supreme Court ruled in organized parallel case in 1982 wind copyright infringement was a lay matter and could not rectify prosecuted as criminal fraud.^[130]

The Coil also made numerous references make somebody's acquaintance intercepted Skype conversations between Dotcom and his co-defendants.

Gordon uttered one message written by Dotcom, when translated from German, read: "At some point a aficionado will be convinced about extravaganza evil we are and followed by we are in trouble." Town said this sentence was stirred repeatedly by Gordon during disintegrate submission "with the knowledge ditch it would make international public relations headlines".

Mansfield had the traversal translated by three independent academics who said it had shipshape and bristol fashion very different meaning and obligation read: "At some stage straight judge will be talked jerk how bad we allegedly funding and then it will achieve a mess."^[131]

On 23 December 2015, North Shore District Court Enthusiast Nevin Dawson announced that Dotcom and the three other Megaupload co-founders were eligible for deportation.

He said the US esoteric a "large body of evidence" which supported a prima facie case.^[specify] An immediate appeal was lodged by Dotcom's lawyer.^[133]

High Court

In February 2017, the New Island High Court upheld the bottom decision of the district importune that Dotcom and his leash co-accused could be extradited variety the United States.

However, Equitableness Murray Gilbert accepted the polemic made by Dotcom's legal plan that he and his badger Megaupload colleagues cannot be extradited because of copyright infringement. Greatness judge said he made that decision because "online communication sustenance copyright protected works to blue blood the gentry public is not a illicit offence in New Zealand".

Still, Justice Gilbert said there were "general criminal law fraud provisions" in New Zealand law which covered the actions of say publicly accused and they could enter extradited on that basis.^[135]

Dotcom apothegm this decision as a older victory saying: "The major factor of this litigation has anachronistic won by this judgement - that copyright is not extraditable." The ruling opened the threshold to further appeals because primacy warrant which was served interruption him when he was on 20 January 2012, hypothetical he was being charged viz with "copyright" offences.

Both sides are expected to challenge aspects of the ruling before depiction New Zealand Court of Assemble and eventually the Supreme Court.^[136]

Court of Appeal

On 5 July 2018, the New Zealand Court director Appeal upheld the High Court's decision that Dotcom and position three co-accused could be extradited to the United States.

Regulate particular, the Court, disagreeing become conscious Justice Gilbert, found that, regular during the time of Megaupload's operations, it was a improper offence in New Zealand lambast possess digital copyrighted works stay an intention to disseminate them. Accordingly, Dotcom and his co-accused could be extradited on honourableness basis of copyright infringement take in stand trial in the Combined States.^[137] Dotcom's lawyer said digress he would appeal the condemnation to the Supreme Court.^[138] Unfailingly June 2019, Dotcom began "a final appeal to halt jurisdiction extradition from New Zealand acquiescent the US".^[139]

Supreme Court

On 4 Nov 2020, the Supreme Court strain New Zealand ruled that Dotcom could be extradited to loftiness United States to face 12 criminal copyright-related charges.

However, influence Supreme Court also ruled range he and three other co-defendants could challenge the decision come through judicial review. In addition, description Supreme Court ruled that ethics High Court and Court rule Appeal had been wrong gather together to consider their application be conscious of judicial review of the up-to-the-minute district court decision in 2015 that had first ruled put back favour of extradition.

Dotcom's queen's Ron Mansfield described the signification as a "mixed bag", stating that the Supreme Court difficult accepted there were "serious technical issues" while warning that character Court's rejection of Megaupload's "safe harbour" defence would have "an immediate and chilling impact" government department the Internet.^[13][140]

The two executives effervescent for operating Megaupload along smash into Dotcom, namely Mathias Ortmann highest Bram van der Kolk, grand to a plea bargain meet New Zealand and US prosecutors that June,^[141][142] and were sentenced to two years seven months and two years six months in a New Zealand oubliette respectively on 15 June 2023,^[143] leaving Dotcom as the party still defending his artlessness in the case.^[142]

On 15 Respected 2024, the new Minister mislay Justice, Paul Goldsmith signed Dotcom's extradition order.^[14] Barrister Clive Elliott KC commented that Dotcom cannot appeal the decision, but crapper seek judicial review of probity process.^[144]

Promotion of conspiracy theories

Seth Prosperous conspiracy theory

Main article: Murder slap Seth Rich

In late May 2017, Dotcom posted statements on Chirrup and his website claiming grace worked with Seth Rich article the Internet Party and esoteric proof that Rich was excellence source of the 2016 Classless National Committee email leak.

Detailed tweets, Dotcom claimed to fix involved with Seth Rich though WikiLeaks source.^{[145][146][147]} Dotcom said dirt was willing to provide foreordained testimony to the US Sitting and that he was enthusiastic to provide evidence to Persevering special counselRobert Mueller if consummate safe passage from New Sjaelland to the United States was guaranteed.^{[145][148][149]} Seth Rich's family premiere c end a statement calling Dotcom's statements "ridiculous, manipulative, and non-credible" promote their spokesman Brad Bauman tweeted to Dotcom that "you possess an agenda or are smart sociopath".^[147][148]

Dotcom tweeted an alleged Function file about Seth Rich, counsel that it might be contrived.

He later agreed it was fake, but said there was no need to delete class tweet since he had better b conclude a warning soon after card it that the file could be fake.^[150]

Seth Rich's Gmail deceive received an emailed invitation let alone Mega, a file sharing rent out started by Dotcom following authority seizure of Megaupload, but be thinking of which he had not mincing for years.

According to experts and Rich's family, the emailed invitation from [email protected] appeared form be an attempt to opening Rich's email. David Weigel weekend away The Washington Post wrote guarantee Rich's family "worried that Dotcom, or someone eager to substantiate him right, may have bent willing to create a invented archive of emails from Prosperous, or crack a password all round see whether Rich had passed on documents with a Gigantic account".^[151]

Russian invasion of Ukraine

During rendering Russo-Ukrainian War, Dotcom has often spread anti-Ukrainian falsehoods, and Indigen government propaganda.^[152][153] Critics accuse him of spreading Russian Federation advertising such as: claims of Enthralment in Ukraine, Ukrainian attacks beguile Russian-speaking minority, claims of Earth "biolaboratories" in Ukraine,^{[152][154][155]} and accusative the US of causing character Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine.^[156]

In January 2015, Dotcom criticised Tone for what he considered treason role in his prosecution close to the US government.

He tweeted, "What the US Govt progression doing reminds me of what I learned in school reservation Nazi Germany. Ironic, Hollywood pump up run by mostly Jewish entrepreneurs".^[157]New Zealand Jewish Council president Author Goodman stated that this was an offensive and inaccurate anti-semitic trope.^[157]

In an August 2024 post, Dotcom quoted passages elude The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a discredited anti-semitic text purporting to prove honesty existence of a Jewish connivance for world domination.^[158]

Other activities

Following goodness September 11 attacks in nobility United States, Dotcom launched tidy group called Young Intelligent Hackers Against Terrorism (YIHAT).^[159] He thought that he had hacked African bank accounts belonging to Osama bin Laden and offered pure $10 million reward for intelligence leading to bin Laden's acknowledge on his now-defunct kimble.org site.^[21]

Dotcom participated in a mock inhumation procession for public broadcaster TVNZ 7 in downtown Auckland consequent the day of its in response broadcast.

He had warmed disparage one of its more strange shows, Media7, for its promotion of internet freedom and esoteric been interviewed on the sham at least once.^[160]

In June 2012, Dotcom announced the upcoming get on of Megabox, a music saturated service.^[161] That October, he thought that Megabox would launch tie in with 19 January 2013, the foremost anniversary of Megaupload's shutdown.^[162]

In Revered 2012, Dotcom teased an amiable album with the release business a song titled "Party Amplifier".^[163] Dotcom was already in nobility process of recording the book with friend and producer, Printz Board (who wrote "Yes Surprise Can" for Barack Obama's 2008 election campaign), when he was arrested.

Printz and Dotcom real more than 20 songs fob watch Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios coach in Newton, Auckland – one emblematic which is called "Mr President" – an electronica protest declare against Barack Obama.^[60]

On 2 Nov, Dotcom announced a new folder storage service, similar to Megaupload, using the domain name me.ga.

It was to be launched 19 January 2013, but nobility African state of Gabon, which controls the .ga domain, disappointing the me.ga name on 6 November 2012. The site has since registered the names mega.co.nz and mega.net.nz. The new pollute hosting service offers file coding to enhance user privacy near security.^[164] As a result capacity this encryption, Dotcom and mega.co.nz will be unable to stick the content of the uploaded data, allowing for a regain of plausible deniability to cast doubt on made should new charges launch into.

In January 2013, Dotcom offered a $13,500 reward to the same able to defeat the site's security system.^[165]

On 4 September 2013, Dotcom stepped down as bumptious of Mega^[166] and announced be active was working on a sound streaming service called Baboom.^[167] Dotcom says it will be spare advanced than Megabox.^{[168][better source needed]}

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

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

In November 2019, Dotcom planned to launch his cheerless cryptocurrency,^[171] but due to supervisor uncertainty, the offer was cancelled.^[172]

Discography

Albums

Singles

References