A New Zealand judge ruled Thursday that the FBI must release evidence pertaining to Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom’s case, showing that it has enough to back up copyright breaches and Internet piracy charges against him.
Dotcom is accused by the FBI of leading a piracy group that acquired $175 million by copying and distributing movies, music, games, and other content without permission.
Megaupload’s website was taken down and the U.S. government said the site was seized over conspiracy to commit piracy, money laundering, criminal copyright infringement, and other charges.
He was arrested in January, and authorities raided his rented estate in New Zealand, confiscating his car collection, computers, and other valuable items. He is out on bail in New Zealand and claims Megaupload only offered online storage.
The United States wanted to withhold some of the evidence against Dotcom and other defendants in the Megaupload case in a hearing to extradite them.
New Zealand’s High Court has already ruled that the FBI raid was illegal and Thursday ruled that Dotcom, a German national, should see the evidence beforehand that could potentially lead to his extradition to the United States.
“Without access to materials relevant to the extradition hearing phase, the person sought will be significantly constrained in his or her ability to participate in the hearing,” Justice Helen Winkelmann said in written statement.
On Thursday, Dotcom said via his Twitter account: “Mark my words: The Megaupload case will make history in ways you can’t even imagine. What a [...] mess. Welcome to the show!”
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