News: Megaupdate

Many of us will have had a parking row with neighbours at some point — but we’d venture none of them have concerned the whereabouts of our giant inflatable tank.

The full-size replica of a Russian T-72 vehicle — typically used as a ‘threat decoy’ in military field training — has been delivered to Kim ‘Dotcom’ Schmitz’s mansion while the Megaupload founder is held over criminal copyright charges, reportedly upsetting the Joneses.

FLIGHT RISK!

The New Zealand Herald also reports that Dotcom was denied bail by Judge David McNaughton, who is presiding over the extradition hearing for the web supremo and his chums, over fears he would flee the country using criminal connections he has previously made use of in obtaining passports under three different names.

Citing the “porous nature” of the country’s borders as a cause for concern, Judge McNaughton said that “with sufficient determination and financial resources, flight risk remains a real and significant possibility”.

MOVIES!

Meanwhile Megaupload associates Finn Batato (co-star of Dotcom’s Kimble Goes Monaco movie — note the heartwarming scene at 10.00) and Bram van der Kolk were granted bail, while fourth man Mathias Ortmann — who has discrepancies in his income you’d definitely go looking for down the back of the sofa — continues to be held pending more submissions on his behalf for bail.

Attorney for the Crown Anne Toohey drew attention to a 2007 Skype text chat between van der Kolk and and Ortmann in Dotcom’s hearing, in which van der Kolk wrote that “if the shit really hits the fan… would [Dotcom] grab the last bit of money and take off… he’s good at that.” Dotcom’s lawyer, Paul Davidson, said that the conversation had been taken out of context and that his client had no desire to be a fugitive.

SHOTGUNS!

Elsewhere in this most newsworthy farce, Dotcom’s head of security, Wayne Phillip Tempero, is up before the beak facing firearms charges for supplying his employer with the semi-automatic shotgun found in Dotcom’s safe room when police made their arrest at his home.

Tempero said the gun had been purchased under a valid New Zealand licence, and Davidson told the court that the safe room and gun were for the safety of Dotcom’s family. Dotcom’s wife Mona is a former model from the Philippines, where Davidson alleges kidnapping of the rich and famous is relatively commonplace — so the guns, bodyguard, and safe room were needed as protection from the threat.

FUCK THA FEDS!

Meanwhile on the other side of the law, the FBI is facing legal action from scores of angry Megaupload customers who used the site to share research data, work documents, personal video collections.

Pirate parties worldwide have been gathering up lists of those who fear the site takedown will ensure they never see their personal belongings again, and plan to lodge an official complaint with US authorities.

“The widespread damage caused by the sudden closure of Megaupload is unjustified and completely disproportionate to the aim intended,” they said.

“For this reason Pirates of Catalonia, in collaboration with Pirate Parties International and other Pirate Parties, have begun investigating these potential breaches of law and will facilitate submission of complaints against the US authorities in as many countries as possible, to ensure a positive and just result.”

“This initiative is a starting point for legitimate internet users to help defend themselves from the legal abuses promoted by those wishing to aggressively lock away cultural materials for their own financial gain.”

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