Megaupload founder's extradition appeal to be livestreamed
The world can follow along with internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom's extradition appeal almost in real-time, a New Zealand judge has ruled.
Kim Dotcom, founder of file-sharing service Megaupload, is a wanted man in the US on charges of copyright infringement, racketeering and money laundering. In December of last year, a New Zealand court ruled that Dotcom could be extradited to his home in New Zealand to the US to face those charges.
This week, a New Zealand court began hearing Dotcom's appeal against the extradition, which is expected to last eight weeks. On the first day, Dotcom requested that he be allowed to live-stream the proceedings. After expressing irritation that the request had not been made in advance, High Court judge Justice Murray Gilbert granted permission, with a caveat that the stream be 20 minutes behind real-time.
"It provides everybody in the world with a seat in the gallery of the New Zealand courtroom," Dotcom's lawyer, Ira Rothken, told the Associated Press.
The US prosecution believes that Megaupload cost copyright holders over $500 million in lost revenue. Dotcom's lawyers argue that the German-born entrepreneur cannot be held responsible for the actions of Megaupload's users.
The live stream for Kim Dotcom's extradition appeal is due to begin tomorrow. Stay tuned to Dotcom's Twitter feed for the link.