Dos_Box Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 From the BBC: BBC News - Megaupload file-sharing site shut down Megaupload, one of the internet's largest file-sharing sites, has been shut down by officials in the US. The site's founders have been charged with violating piracy laws. Federal prosecutors have accused it of costing copyright holders more than $500m (£320m) in lost revenue. The firm says it was diligent in responding to complaints about pirated material. In response, the hackers group Anonymous has targeted the FBI and US Department of Justice websites.
LosOjos Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 So it seems even without PIPA & SOPA the FBI can make arrests anyway, so what's the point? I find it equally terrifying and infuriating that the US manage repeatedly to make arrests outside the US (by ordering hosting governments to do so), especially when the actual crime committed wasn't even committed in the US in the first place. Who needs a war to take over the world? [/rant]
CyberNerd Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 I find it equally terrifying and infuriating that the US manage repeatedly to make arrests outside the US (by ordering hosting governments to do so), especially when the actual crime committed wasn't even committed in the US in the first place. or even when an individual wasn't committing a crime in their own country
localzuk Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 What gets me is that the US government have the right to seize domains *before* a trial. It also bewilders me that the US have somehow managed to arrest people on other countries for crimes committed outside their country. Megaupload is a Hong Kong company, with servers outside the USA. So, how'd they manage that?
NikChillin Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 So it seems even without PIPA & SOPA the FBI can make arrests anyway, so what's the point? I find it equally terrifying and infuriating that the US manage repeatedly to make arrests outside the US (by ordering hosting governments to do so), especially when the actual crime committed wasn't even committed in the US in the first place. Who needs a war to take over the world? [/rant] It all comes down to money, the US goverment welcomed freedom of speech when China were censoring their internet but when a whistleblower gave information regarding their misdomeanors they wanted the internet switched off!
jamesb Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 or even when an individual wasn't committing a crime in their own country What gets me is that the US government have the right to seize domains *before* a trial. It also bewilders me that the US have somehow managed to arrest people on other countries for crimes committed outside their country. Megaupload is a Hong Kong company, with servers outside the USA. So, how'd they manage that? Apparently it wasn't quite that simple. Firstly Megaupload did have server infrastructure in the USA, so technically US jurisdiction can apply to the company. Plus the actual charges were a bit more extensive than just the criminal copyright infringement. They were also charged with money laundering and racketeering. The founder has a background of computer fraud and handling stolen goods (plus accusations of investment fraud). May not be related to the freedom of speech conspiracy we hear so much about, at least in this particular case. In response the bunch of cyber-vandalists anonymous took down the DOJ, MPAA and RIAA websites. Nice, rational reaction there. How many of those involved should we expect to see in court before the month's out?
featured_spectre Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Perhaps this will help him change his mind... http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/1941676_700b.jpg
LosOjos Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 They were also charged with money laundering and racketeering. The founder has a background of computer fraud and handling stolen goods (plus accusations of investment fraud). A classic FBI trick that's worked for them for years; make damning accusations to get the result you want. Even if they're completely false, an investigation will have to be made, which in the FBI's case usually means crippling those accused so that regardless of the verdict, their business/life is ruined anyway.
featured_spectre Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 SOME of the servers (less than a quarter) were in the US, in texas, chicago, washington and virginia. Most of the datacentres were in Europe or Asia, as the largest download base came from those 2 continents. Korea/Japan/Taiwan/Malaysia were the worst offenders for downloading, followed by Australia, followed by Europe. The servers they had in Europe were hosted in Sweden, and as proven with Piratebay, nothing could be done as no Swedish law was being violated and Sweden does not have an extradition treaty with the US or anything that allows the US to take their citizens products off the web - doing so opens up the US for large scale diplomatic issues again. Its funny that the US think they can police the internet, but hell file sharers will just go around and file share by disk sending or something soon, so they can't do anything about that unless they stop all mail services everywhere!
LosOjos Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Servers were in Virginia were they not? Possibly, I know the main host was Hong Kong based but the sheer size of the operation, it wouldn't surprise me to find they also had servers in the US. Regardless though, they're being charged because of hosting copyrighted material. Now, on a site that any usr can sign up to and upload anything, it has to be expected that some illegal files will be uploaded. It also has to be expected that the host will remove those materials when they a) spot them or b) receive a report from the rights holder, which [they say] they did. How is it any different from YouTube hosting music videos? Or Facebook hosting copyright protected photos? To paraphrase "Ironrash" (a commenter on the BBC's article), are they going to ban Sony from selling DVD players because somebody might play a pirated DVD in one?
jamesb Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Servers were in Virginia were they not? And Washington, yep. A classic FBI trick that's worked for them for years; make damning accusations to get the result you want. Even if they're completely false, an investigation will have to be made, which in the FBI's case usually means crippling those accused so that regardless of the verdict, their business/life is ruined anyway. Actually the original accusations (and particularly the convictions) were from his native country, not the FBI. Only the new range of convictions are from the FBI. Let's be honest - if he'd been an online banker and the same background had come up, and the same accusations, people would be whooping and cheering rather than claiming it's all a conspiracy.
jamesb Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Possibly, I know the main host was Hong Kong based but the sheer size of the operation, it wouldn't surprise me to find they also had servers in the US. Regardless though, they're being charged because of hosting copyrighted material. Now, on a site that any usr can sign up to and upload anything, it has to be expected that some illegal files will be uploaded. It also has to be expected that the host will remove those materials when they a) spot them or b) receive a report from the rights holder, which [they say] they did. How is it any different from YouTube hosting music videos? Or Facebook hosting copyright protected photos? To paraphrase "Ironrash" (a commenter on the BBC's article), are they going to ban Sony from selling DVD players because somebody might play a pirated DVD in one? I seem to remember something about this when the troubles with megaupload first started. There was difficulty for some getting their material removed, and even when it was taken down only the link complained about would be taken down - not the actual content if it had multiple links.
localzuk Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 The outcome will be pretty simple though as far as I can see. Megaupload will disappear 10 new sites will appear, having learned from the mistakes made by Megaupload Some of the anonymous muppets will end up in prison.
JJonas Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Perhaps this will help him change his mind... Hmm bad wig alert....
Patrickv Posted January 30, 2012 Posted January 30, 2012 Apparently kim dotcom is current in New Zealand which is my country. I have herd of megauploads.com but never herd of the (owner/ person of interest(s)) residing in New Zealand until now.
Dos_Box Posted February 22, 2012 Author Posted February 22, 2012 (edited) Well, it seems the whole MegaUpload thing is taking a bit of a twist, with not only Kim Dotcom now (apparently) being granted bail, but this report that they may have been launching a new service that would have upset LOTS of people in high musical places: Is This The Real Reason Why MegaUpload Was Shut Down? - Forbes Edited April 23, 2012 by Dos_Box
Dos_Box Posted April 23, 2012 Author Posted April 23, 2012 *UPDATE* May The Farce be With You! From El Reg today: Megaupload case near collapse: report ? The Register An American district court judge has cast doubt over the whole Megaupload trial, telling the FBI the criminal charges against Kim Dotcom may never make it to trial. The New Zealand Herald is reporting that during a hearing in Virginia the judge, Liam O’Grady, doubted if “we are ever going to have a trial in this matter” when advised that Megaupload has never been served with papers in the US. As the newspaper notes, the criminal conspiracy charges in America are vital to the trial as a whole: without a charge carrying a five-year maximum sentence, the FBI won’t be able to meet the criteria necessary to having Dotcom extradited. The judge’s remarks were made during ongoing legal argument over the future of data held on Megaupload’s servers, during which judge O’Grady asked for more information about why Megaupload had not been served in America.
localzuk Posted April 23, 2012 Posted April 23, 2012 So basically, the US has messed this one up good and proper... However, they have succeeded in ruining a business and causing 220 people to become unemployed.
gshaw Posted April 23, 2012 Posted April 23, 2012 So basically, the US has messed this one up good and proper... However, they have succeeded in ruining a business and causing 220 people to become unemployed. Megaupload to sue for damages?
localzuk Posted April 23, 2012 Posted April 23, 2012 Megaupload to sue for damages? Who do they sue? Would the US government allow it, as they could just claim sovereign immunity? They could sue the New Zealand and Hong Kong police I suppose. It'll be interesting how this goes now though.
Dos_Box Posted November 1, 2012 Author Posted November 1, 2012 It looks like Kim Dotcom is to launch a new file sharing service called 'Mega' with no US hosting, ISP etc: Uh-oh! Kim Dotcom is back with a brand new Megaupload site ? The Register
synaesthesia Posted November 1, 2012 Posted November 1, 2012 Aye, hope the cheating moron fails big time. Arrogant and cocky, destined to fail.
Geoff Posted November 1, 2012 Posted November 1, 2012 Actually it's exactly that attitude you need to succeed in business. :S
synaesthesia Posted November 1, 2012 Posted November 1, 2012 Unfortunately the case - how else do Apple succeed so? However most legitimate businesspeople wouldn't goad justice systems and entire governments like a spoiled child. But then again, Kim hasn't ever actually grown up. I remember him as a spoiled, arrogant and cocky cheating gitbag over 10 years ago and nothing has changed. Frankly, it's no better than letting a known criminal set up a private jail.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now