Dotcom Threatened with New Charges If He Launches New FileSharing Service

October 30, 2012 by
Filed under: Announcements & Events, Entertainment Industry, File-Sharing Programs, Networks & Services, Legal P2P News & Issues 

In a recent post we told you about Kim Dotcom’ plans to relaunch Megaupload as a new fresh filesharing + service. The response of the US Department of Justice was quick: if Dotcoms furthers his plans it means violation of the terms of his bail, or facing new criminal charges.

As expected, the news that Dotcom wants to propose another alternative to filesharing lovers out there was not quite welcomed by the industry and its legal guardians. In a filling against Dotcom’s lawyers’ attempt to dismiss the case against the filesharing website, DOJ states:

“Defense Counsel’s claim that the corporate defendant can and should be allowed to operate undermines the sworn statements of Dotcom that he has no plans or ability to continue to operate or fund the businesses in the Indictment during pendency of the extradition process.”

“If defendant Dotcom intentionally misled the court in New Zealand about his intentions and capabilities in order to obtain his release from pre-extradition confinement, it seems Defense Counsel’s representation might endanger Dotcom’s bail situation or even subject him to additional charges.”

The Dotcom’s annoucement came even more as a surprise considering his statement regarding future business plans back in January when in New Zealand:

“There is no realistic prospect or possibility of restoring the business or recommencing the business having regard to both the seizure of the requisite servers and data storage equipment and to the seizure of all funds, monies and assets held both by Megaupload and by me personally.”

At that time he also explained: “Further, it is likely that users would consider any new iteration of Megaupload as inherently unreliable as it could be subject to a further incident in which the US government takes action to close the site down and thereby prevents users from having legitimate access to their data.”

On the other hand, commenting the DOJ recent motion, Ira Rothken one of Dotcom’s lawyers, stated:

“It sounds like the United States is attacking a technology before they fully investigate it,” Rothken said. “This looks to be the second time they’re doing that. Kim Dotcom is innocent, and he’s entitled to be involved in technology and business.”

I guess I’m not the only one wondering how this will eventually turn out and if Dotcom will manage to pull it off and relaunch the same type of business that brought him both an empire and a heavy prosecution. What’s your view on it? Tells us what you think in the comments section below.

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