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The U.S. government has refused to allow the MegaUpload defendants access to information on their servers, which in turn is impeding their ability to defend themselves, the company's lawyer told CNET.

Ira Rothken, the U.S. attorney overseeing MegaUpload's international defense team, said the U.S. has refused to release funds that would enable MegaUpload to preserve and gather materials from company servers vital to its defense. Rothken said that he fears U.S. officials are withholding the money in an attempt to unfairly hobble MegaUpload's defense.

"It's hard to reconcile the chain of … Read more

The cost of hosting 25 petabytes of data belonging to MegaUpload's users is too much for Carpathia Hosting to support on its own.

Carpathia said in court filings on Tuesday that the company is dedicating 1,100 servers and spending $9,000 a day to maintain MegaUpload's files and needs someone to either fork over some money or allow the company to delete the information, according to a report by the Associated Press.

The data was frozen by the U.S. Department of Justice after issuing an indictment against MegaUpload's operators, including founder Kim DotCom in January. … Read more

New Zealand has decided to return some of the assets it seized from MegaUpload founder Kim DotCom, according to reports.

A high court there has bumped up the accused pirate's monthly living allowance from $20,000 in New Zealand currency to $60,000, the equivalent of $48,500 in U.S. currency, according to a report in the New Zealand Herald. In addition, the court is allowing him the use of one of his late-model Mercedes vehicles.

Police arrested DotCom at the mansion he lived in outside Auckland on January 19 at the request of the United States government. … Read more

Authorities in New Zealand have acknowledged making a procedural error prior in seizing property belonging to MegaUpload founder Kim DotCom, and the mistake could mean the government will now be required to return them.

Police arrested DotCom at the mansion he lived in outside Auckland on January 19 at the request of the United States government. The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that DotCom is the mastermind of a criminal enterprise designed to help the masses pirate music and movies. U.S. officials say he made millions from piracy and seek to extradite DotCom to this country to stand … Read more

MegaUpload founder Kim DotCom has six months to try and create the image of himself as a legitimate businessman as well as a victim of U.S. aggression.

The U.S. Department of Justice, which has accused him of criminal copyright violations, wire fraud, and racketeering, will seek to create the perception that DotCom is a digital Genghis Khan, a convicted felon who has dedicated most of his adult life to plunder.

For DotCom, 38, and the DOJ, the public relations war is on.

In January, New Zealand police, at the request of the United States, raided DotCom's home, … Read more

As expected, the United States government has filed a request in New Zealand to extradite Kim DotCom, the founder of MegaUpload, and three associates who are also accused of criminal copyright violations.

Papers were filed with a New Zealand court today by lawyers representing the United States, according to a report in the New Zealand Herald.

DotCom was locked up in a New Zealand jail more than a month following his January 19 arrest but was released on bail nearly two weeks ago. Police raided his home and seized his assets after the United States government indicted him on criminal … Read more

Kim DotCom is out on bail and the MegaUpload founder didn't waste time before going on a public relations offensive.

For the past month, DotCom has been locked up in a New Zealand jail after being accused by the United States government of criminal copyright violations, racketeering, and money laundering. U.S. officials say that MegaUpload cost copyright owners $500 million in damages and is part of the biggest online piracy case ever. They want DotCom to stand trial in this country.

Now, in an attempt to clear his name, DotCom is doing media interviews and telling his side … Read more

MegaUpload founder and accused pirate Kim DotCom will remain free on bail until his extradition hearing in August.

A New Zealand court today rejected an appeal by government prosecutors seeking to have DotCom returned to jail as a flight risk, according to media reports out of New Zealand. DotCom, who is charged with operating one of the Web's biggest criminal copyright operations through his file-sharing site, was released on bail last week after a month in custody.

DotCom, 38, was arrested in January at the mansion he leases near Auckland, New Zealand, after the U.S. handed down an indictment … Read more

Kim DotCom, the founder of MegaUpload and accused pirate, has asked a New Zealand court to free up some of his seized assets so he and his family have money to live on, New Zealand newspapers are reporting.

The couple said they need the equivalent of $180,000 per month.

DotCom was arrested last month after being indicted by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. He was accused of criminal copyright violations, racketeering, and money laundering. The charge of wire fraud was added later.

DotCom was released last week on bail but was back in court … Read more