Kim Dotcom loses case to avoid extradition to the United States.

[Rocko]

German-born Kim Dotcom, currently residing in New Zealand, is trying to avoid extradition to the United States. Photograph: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images
Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom lost a ruling in New Zealand’s highest court on Friday as part of his legal battle to try and avoid extradition to the United States.

Dotcom founded the once-popular file-sharing site Megaupload, which US prosecutors shut down in 2012. Prosecutors accuse him and colleagues of racketeering by facilitating the widespread illegal downloading of songs and movies. Dotcom argues he can’t be held responsible for those who chose to use his site for illegitimate purposes.

In a 4-1 ruling, New Zealand’s supreme court denied a bid by Dotcom and three of his colleagues, who are also facing extradition, to have access to all the US evidence against them at their July extradition hearing. Chief Justice Sian Ellias cast the dissenting vote.

The court agreed with a previous ruling that extensive disclosure could bog down the process and a summary of the US case would suffice. The court found the country’s extradition act does not require foreign countries to provide such disclosure.

While the ruling effectively ended one legal argument for Dotcom, the supreme court may end up ruling on other aspects of the case.

Last year, Dotcom launched a new site called Mega. He’s also said he plans to launch a political party to contest New Zealand’s general elections in September. Since his 2012 arrest and subsequent release, Dotcom has been a colourful figure in New Zealand’s political and media scene.

He reacted to the decision on Twitter on Friday.

“It’s disappointing that we lost in the supreme court by majority decision. But great that Chief Justice of NZ would have allowed our appeal,” he wrote in one tweet.

“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent,” he wrote in another.

Kim Dotcom loses case to access US extradition evidence | World news | theguardian.com

 

[Little-Acorn]

Tell me that's not his real name.

 

[waltky]

Uncle Ferd wonderin' if we can make some money postin' posts?...

Kim Dotcom Announces New Bitcoin Venture for Content Uploaders to Earn Money
April 05, 2017 - Controversial New Zealand-based internet mogul Kim Dotcom plans to launch a Bitcoin payments system for users to sell files and video streaming as he fights extradition to the United States for criminal copyright charges.

The German-born entrepreneur, who is wanted by U.S. law enforcement on copyright and money laundering allegations related to his now-defunct streaming site Megaupload, announced his new venture called 'Bitcontent' in a video posted on Youtube this week. "You can create a payment for any content that you put on the internet...you can share that with your customers, with the interest community and, boom, you are basically in business and can sell your content," Dotcom said in the video.

He added that Bitcontent would eventually allow businesses, such as news organizations, to earn money from their entire websites. He did not provide a launch date. Dotcom did not provide details on how Bitcontent would differ from existing Bitcoin operations or how it would help news organizations make money beyond existing subscription payment options.

Kim Dotcom, the founder of the file-sharing website Megaupload, comments after he was granted bail and released in Auckland, New Zealand​

Bitcoin is a virtual currency that can be used to move money around the world quickly and with relative anonymity, without the need for a central authority, such as a bank or government. The currency's anonymity has however made it popular with drug dealers, money launderers and organized crime groups, meaning governments and the financial establishment have been slow to embrace it since the first trade in 2009. The currency's value hit record levels in 2017, trading at $1,145 on Wednesday, a fivefold increase in a year, amid growing interest globally.

A New Zealand court ruled in February that Dotcom could be extradited to the United States to face charges relating to his Megaupload website, which was shutdown in 2012 following an FBI-ordered raid on his Auckland mansion, a decision he was appealing. Dotcom, who has New Zealand residency, became well known for his lavish lifestyle as much as his computer skills. He used to post photographs of himself with cars having vanity plates such as "GOD" and "GUILTY", shooting an assault rifle and flying around the world in his private jet.

Kim Dotcom Announces New Bitcoin Venture for Content Uploaders to Earn Money