Megaupload: Time to Freak Out or Get Some Perspective? Copyright

February 22, 2012 by Rick Sanders | Category: Blawg, Blog | Tags: copyright, criminal copyright, DMCA, federal investigations, file-sharing, internet, Megaupload

Part 1: Situation Normal: The Sky’s Falling

I’ve put off blogging about MegaUpload (“MU”) for several weeks now–too long, really–for a few perfectly good reasons. I’ve been busy. I’ve been sick. Mostly, though, although I can talk about the DMCA at length, I’m not super familiar with criminal procedure. I do, however, have some experience with FBI investigations, since sometimes a lawyer has to ask the Department of Justice to intervene in a criminal matter, and the FBI is usually pretty good about keeping you informed.

In the meantime, the dramatic events of January 20, when New Zealand authorities descended on the multi-million dollar pad of Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom (and cutting him out of a “safe room”*), is old news now. The fall-out has shaken out, with several music-sharing/locker services radically altering their business practices.

* What’s the point of a “safe room” if the police can still cut you out?

But I have been given a reprieve, because just a few days ago, the Department of Justice filed a superseding indictment against MU (which you can access here). It’s honestly not that big a deal, but I can pretend it’s significant enough to write a couple … Read More»