Megaupload faces extra fraud and copyright charges

The company behind the shut-down file-sharing website Megavideo will now face additional charges of wire fraud and criminal copyright infringement.

By Jennifer Wade Sunday 19 Feb 2012, 2:24 PM

Feb 19th 2012, 2:24 PM 3,338 Views 8 Comments

http://jrnl.ie/359944

he FBI and US Dept of Justice notice posted on MegaUpload.com

PROSECUTORS IN THE United States have added more charges to their case against the file-sharing website Megaupload, which is accused of costing copyright holders more than $500m (€380m) in lost revenue.

The company, whose founder Kim Dotcom is currently fighting an extradition order by the US, will now face extra charges of wire fraud and criminal copyright infringement, the Wall Street Journal reports. The company was already facing charges of illegally distributing copyrighted films and music.

A US federal grand jury has accused several of the individuals and entities involved in the operation of a number of crimes, including conspiracy to commit racketeering, copyright infringement and money laundering, as well as criminal copyright infringement.

The website, and its subsidiary site MegaVideo, were shut down in January by the US Department of Justice and the FBI and Dotcom and three of the site’s other operators were arrested.

According to the US indictment, Dotcom earned $42 million last year.

MegaUpload founder refused bail, denies ‘mega conspiracy’>

MegaUpload founder to remain in jail>

Less free TV as MegaUpload (and MegaVideo) shut down>

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Megaupload faces extra fraud and copyright charges

The company behind the shut-down file-sharing website Megavideo will now face additional charges of wire fraud and criminal copyright infringement.