Megaupload raid warrant 'invalid', New Zealand judge says

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The search warrants used to raid the home of Megaupload owner Kim Dotcom were invalid, a New Zealand judge has ruled.

Action by the FBI to copy data and take it offshore to the US was also deemed unlawful.

"The warrants did not adequately describe the offences to which they related," High Court judge Justice Helen Winkelmann said.

Mr Dotcom was arrested, along with four others, in January.

Millions of dollars in assets were seized or frozen including almost 20 luxury vehicles, dozens of computers and art works.

However, Justice Winkelmann said the warrant for the search fell "well short" of outlining Mr Dotcom's alleged offences.

"They were general warrants, and as such, are invalid," she said.

In response to the judge's decision, New Zealand police said they were in discussions with Crown Law "to determine what further action might be required".

Mr Dotcom's site was said to have made $175m since 2005 by copying and distributing copyrighted material without authorisation.

The site's lawyers have said Megaupload simply offered online storage.

Mr Dotcom is currently on bail.

Posted:

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18623043

Comments

"Megaupload raid warrant 'invalid', New Zealand judge says" :: Login/Create an Account :: 68 comments

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Invalid_UsernamePosted:

im still amazed by this with the mw3 to megaupload to all the money he has

Commando_84Posted:

new 1 to come haha

SovietRussiaPosted:

Frog
SovietRussia
Frog
his
Racist Lol it was such a big deal when he got arrested at first. Now we just use mediafire anyways


Exactly. It sucks for Megaupload.


Of course it is! It's done for! They can never reopen the same site...


Well it's time for megaupload 2 :)


Nah if he does anything it will be under a completely different name! xD


I've got a new name. Don'ttakeusdown upload :)

I honestly don't think they should have targeted just them. I know they where one of the largest file sharing websites that had servers located in the united states but still.

FrogPosted:

SovietRussia
Frog
his
Racist Lol it was such a big deal when he got arrested at first. Now we just use mediafire anyways


Exactly. It sucks for Megaupload.


Of course it is! It's done for! They can never reopen the same site...


Well it's time for megaupload 2 :)


Nah if he does anything it will be under a completely different name! xD

SovietRussiaPosted:

Frog
his
Racist Lol it was such a big deal when he got arrested at first. Now we just use mediafire anyways


Exactly. It sucks for Megaupload.


Of course it is! It's done for! They can never reopen the same site...


Well it's time for megaupload 2 :)

FrogPosted:

his
Racist Lol it was such a big deal when he got arrested at first. Now we just use mediafire anyways


Exactly. It sucks for Megaupload.


Of course it is! It's done for! They can never reopen the same site...

MoanPosted:

SovietRussia
Flags Let's just hope he gets his rank back. Haha.


He isn't that far behind in the leader boards. But i think the damage is already done


He could do it, but he is far behind number 1.

It would take alot.

MoanPosted:

Racist Lol it was such a big deal when he got arrested at first. Now we just use mediafire anyways


Exactly. It sucks for Megaupload.

SovietRussiaPosted:

Blitz_Gifter i want mega upload to come bacK!


There are many other file sharing websites. Aka Mediafire

SovietRussiaPosted:

Flags Let's just hope he gets his rank back. Haha.


He isn't that far behind in the leader boards. But i think the damage is already done