New Zealand Judges Rules Kim Dotcom Can Be Extradited to US 23 December 2015, Bynick Perry

New Zealand judges rules Kim Dotcom can be extradited to US 23 December 2015, byNick Perry

people using it to illegally download songs, television shows and movies.

The U.S. has charged the men with conspiracy to commit copyright infringement, racketeering and money laundering. If found guilty, they could face decades in jail.

But appeals to the extradition ruling are likely to take at least another year.

"It will end up in the Supreme Court, there's no doubt about it," said Dotcom's lawyer Ron Mansfield, referring to New Zealand's highest court. "The legal issues are so interesting and complex."

In this Wednesday, July 3, 2013 file photo, Internet Judge Dawson, who presided over the nine-week entrepreneur Kim Dotcom speaks during the Intelligence hearing, wrote that "The overwhelming and Security select committee hearing at Parliament in preponderance of evidence ... establishes a prima Wellington, New Zealand. A New Zealand judge has facie case to answer for all respondents on each of ruled that colorful Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom and three of his colleagues can be extradited to the United the counts." States to face criminal copyright charges. Dotcom's lawyers said they will appeal the decision. Judge Nevin The judge was required only to decide whether the Dawson's ruling on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015, comes U.S. had a valid case and not whether he thought nearly four years after U.S. authorities shut down the men were guilty or innocent. Dotcom's Megaupload website, which some visitors had used to illegally download songs and movies.(Mark The U.S. argued the site cost copyright holders, Mitchell/New Zealand Herald via AP, File) which included Hollywood's major movie studios, more than $500 million. Prosecutors say intercepted communications show the men talking about being "modern-day pirates" and "evil." A New Zealand judge ruled Wednesday that colorful Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom and Dotcom argued that he can't be held responsible for three of his colleagues can be extradited to the others who chose to use his site for illegal purposes United States to face criminal copyright charges. and that any case should have been heard in civil court. Dotcom's lawyers said they have filed an appeal against the decision. The case could have broader implications for Internet copyright rules. Mansfield said that if the Judge Nevin Dawson's ruling came nearly four U.S. side prevails, websites from YouTube to years after U.S. authorities shut down Dotcom's file- Facebook would need to more carefully police their sharing website Megaupload, which was once one content. of the Internet's most popular sites. Prosecutors say it raked in at least $175 million, mainly from The case also raises questions about how far U.S.

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jurisdiction extends in an age when the Internet has erased many traditional borders. Dotcom says he has never set foot in the U.S.

Born in Germany as Kim Schmitz, Dotcom has long enjoyed a flamboyant lifestyle.

He was arrested in New Zealand in 2012 after a dramatic police raid on his mansion.

Out on bail soon after, he released a music album, started another Internet file-sharing company called Mega, and launched a political party which unsuccessfully contested the nation's 2014 election.

As well as Dotcom, who founded Megaupload and was its majority shareholder, the U.S. is also seeking to extradite former Megaupload officers Mathias Ortmann, Bram van der Kolk and Finn Batato.

"Justice was not served today," said Ira Rothken, another of Dotcom's lawyers, on Twitter.

New Zealand Justice Minister Amy Adams is required to sign-off on any extraditions. In a statement Wednesday, Adams said she would wait for the conclusion of any appeals before making a final decision. Even her decision can be subjected to judicial review.

The men remained free on bail after Wednesday's ruling pending their appeals.

Before the ruling, Dotcom wrote on Twitter: "This is my weirdest Xmas ever."

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