Kim Dotcom

File:Kim Schmitz cropped and edited.jpg

Dotcom was born as Kim Schmitz in 1974 in Kiel in the northern part of West Germany."Der Unfassbare", Berliner Morgenpost, 12 February 2001 {{in lang|de}} His mother was Finnish,{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11181461 |title=Dotcom's mother raided by police |date=4 January 2014 |website=NZ Herald News |access-date=1 May 2016 |quote="Dotcom's mother is Anneli Miettinen, who is Finnish " |archive-date=17 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617000308/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11181461 |url-status=live }} from Turku,{{Cite web|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/lifestyle/8660-the-biggest-baby-on-the-planet.html|title=Kim Dotcom – The biggest baby on the planet|website=helsinkitimes.fi|date=12 December 2013 |access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=15 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815103743/https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/lifestyle/8660-the-biggest-baby-on-the-planet.html|url-status=live}} so he holds a Finnish passport and has siblings in Finland.{{cite news|url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Arrested+Megaupload+millionaire+Kim+Dotcom+has+Finnish+passport/1135270248107 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126140239/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Arrested%2BMegaupload%2Bmillionaire%2BKim%2BDotcom%2Bhas%2BFinnish%2Bpassport/1135270248107 |archive-date=26 January 2012 |title=Arrested Megaupload millionaire Kim Dotcom has Finnish passport |publisher=Helsingin Sanomat |url-status=dead}} His father was German. He legally changed his surname to Dotcom in 2005.{{cite magazine|last=Gallagher|first=Sean|title=The Fast, Fabulous, Allegedly Fraudulent Life of Megaupload's Kim Dotcom|url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/kim-dotcom/|magazine=Wired|access-date=26 January 2012|date=26 January 2012|archive-date=27 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127000449/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/kim-dotcom/|url-status=live}}[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203750404577173243494465660 Inside the lavish life of Web's Mr. Dotcom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212093039/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203750404577173243494465660 |date=12 December 2022 }}, The Wall Street Journal. 21 January 2012.

Prior to his arrest in New Zealand, he enjoyed a luxurious life. In 2001, his main source of income was a company called Kimvestor,{{cite magazine |last=Gallagher |first=Sean |title=The Fast, Fabulous, Allegedly Fraudulent Life of Megaupload's Kim Dotcom |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/01/kim-dotcom/ |magazine=Wired }} and he was known for spending his money on expensive cars and boats. During the 2000 Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, Dotcom chartered a {{convert|240|ft|adj=on}} yacht and used it to host parties for guests such as Prince Rainier of Monaco.{{cite news|last1=Cassy|first1=John|last2=Snoddy|first2=Julia|title=The world of Kim Schmitz|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2001/jan/26/internetnews.business2|work=The Guardian|date=26 January 2001|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-date=9 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409021954/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2001/jan/26/internetnews.business2|url-status=live}}

He was granted permanent residence in New Zealand on 29 November 2010.Neazor, D.P. [http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/document/pdf/201239/Neazor%20repor1.pdf Report of Inspector General of Intelligence and Security] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521132442/http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/document/pdf/201239/Neazor%20repor1.pdf |date=21 May 2022 }}, p 4, 27 September 2012 While his residency was under consideration, Dotcom was planning a fireworks show in Auckland at a cost of NZ$600,000.{{cite news |title=Kim Dotcom's money won him New Zealand residency |url=https://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/kim-dotcoms-money-won-him-new-zealand-residency-20120314-1uz6q.html |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 March 2012 |access-date=6 October 2012 |archive-date=15 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115232047/http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/kim-dotcoms-money-won-him-new-zealand-residency-20120314-1uz6q.html |url-status=live }} He leased a mansion in Coatesville, a rural community near Auckland, owned by entrepreneurs Richard and Ruth Bradley, and considered one of the most expensive homes in the country. He wanted to buy the mansion when the lease expired.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10626044 |title=Multi-millionaire hacker buys Chrisco mansion |last=Lewis |first=Rebecca |date=14 February 2010 |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=21 January 2012 |archive-date=22 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122101028/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10626044 |url-status=live }}

Before his arrest in New Zealand, he was the world's number-one-ranked Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 player for having the highest cumulative score in free for all mode out of more than 15 million online players.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/01/23/kim-dotcom-falls-modernwarfare-3/ |title=Arrest fallout: Kim Dotcom drops to No. 2 rank in Modern Warfare 3 |publisher=VentureBeat |date=23 January 2012 |access-date=2 May 2012 |archive-date=20 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420193125/http://venturebeat.com/2012/01/23/kim-dotcom-falls-modernwarfare-3/ |url-status=live }}

In 2007, Dotcom met Mona Verga and married her on 10 July 2009.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11160836|title=Dotcom: When I met Mona, it all changed|date=22 November 2013|newspaper=New Zealand Herald |access-date=21 February 2017|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777|archive-date=21 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221112418/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11160836|url-status=live}} Dotcom had one child from a previous relationship, who was born in September 2007.{{cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dotcom-fears-for-his-kids-future/ND662GLPQAJFHT2XBLRGI3JYOE/ | title=Dotcom fears for his kids' future | date=6 August 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dotcoms-five-year-marriage-over/ISU2C2BE4WRNSBY7ZMU4KIHCDQ/ | title=Dotcom's five-year marriage over | date=6 August 2023 }}{{cite tweet |last=Dotcom |first=Kim |author-link=Kim Dotcom |user=KimDotcom |number=244235998505086976 |date=8 September 2012 |title=It's Kaylo's 5th birthday today. Hurray!!! http://t.co/SoyV9Kgd |language=en |access-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606201027/https://twitter.com/KimDotcom/status/244235998505086976 |archive-date=6 June 2022 |url-status=live}} Dotcom and Verga had four children together, all using IVF treatment.{{cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dotcom-when-i-met-mona-it-all-changed/BHU6DNJQTKDAPNRC6PZMYEQ27A/ | title=How Dotcom wooed his wife | date=6 August 2023 }} The couple's first child together was born in 2009.{{cite tweet |last=Dotcom |first=Kim |author-link=Kim Dotcom |user=KimDotcom |number=822578747119378432 |date=20 January 2017 |title=The birthday boys - Father & Son. Kim (43) and Kimmo (8) 🍾🎂🎁 https://t.co/RiqkknUhHS |language=en |access-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621232827/https://twitter.com/KimDotcom/status/822578747119378432 |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-status=live}} Their second child together was born in 2010.{{cite tweet |last=Dotcom |first=Kim |author-link=Kim Dotcom |user=KimDotcom |number=234474829967921152 |date=12 August 2012 |title=... It's Kobi's 2nd birthday today. Woohoo. We will have some friends over later :-) http://t.co/Vyl2jusM |language=en |access-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423043929/https://twitter.com/KimDotcom/status/234474829967921152 |archive-date=23 April 2023 |url-status=live}} Verga gave birth to twin girls in Auckland in March 2012, a month after Dotcom was released on bail from Mt Eden prison.{{cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/the-diary-part-one-my-kids-are-my-life-mona/3E2CWR65TDUGNXCNSJ762K7RPI/ | title='My kids are my life' - Mona | date=6 August 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6634310/Kim-Dotcoms-wife-gives-birth | title=Kim Dotcom's wife gives birth | date=24 March 2012 }}[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10780321 Dotcom birthday party targeted] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803165033/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10780321 |date=3 August 2018 }} The New Zealand Herald, 22 January 2012{{cite news |title=Megaupload's Kim Dotcom Fathers Healthy Twin Girls |url=http://wordswithmeaning.org/2012/03/megauploads-kim-dotcom-fathers-healthy-twin-girls/ |access-date=26 March 2012 |date=25 March 2012 |archive-date=31 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331214948/http://wordswithmeaning.org/2012/03/megauploads-kim-dotcom-fathers-healthy-twin-girls/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://torrentfreak.com/kim-dotcom-becomes-proud-dad-of-twin-girls-120325/ |title=Kim Dotcom becomes proud dad of twin girls |author=Ernesto |work=TorrentFreak |date=25 March 2012 |access-date=6 October 2012 |archive-date=2 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002025048/https://torrentfreak.com/kim-dotcom-becomes-proud-dad-of-twin-girls-120325/ |url-status=live }} On 17 May 2014, Dotcom announced on Twitter that he and Verna were separated and filing for divorce.{{cite web |url = https://x.com/KimDotcom/status/467597196406190080 |title= Kim Dotcom: "I have issued a statement on my separation." |date=17 May 2014}}

[http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/megupload-founder-kim-dotcom-announces-separation-from-wife-mona-on-twitter/story-fnet09p2-1226921592594 Megupload founder Kim Dotcom announces separation from wife Mona on Twitter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025204057/http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/megupload-founder-kim-dotcom-announces-separation-from-wife-mona-on-twitter/story-fnet09p2-1226921592594 |date=25 October 2016 }} news.com.au, 18 May 2014. Four days earlier, Mona had left her directorship positions in the Dotcom family's companies.[http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/kim-dotcom-s-wife-left-companies-ahead-split-5975515 Kim Dotcom's wife left companies ahead of split] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706125143/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/national-news/kim-dotcom-s-wife-left-companies-ahead-split-5975515 |date=6 July 2022 }} tvnz.co.nz, 19 May 2014.

In March 2014, Dotcom was criticised by The Times of Israel and the New Zealand Jewish Council for his purchase of a rare signed copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, with Council president Stephen Goodman saying it was "morally unacceptable".{{cite news |title=Internet tycoon under fire for Hitler-signed 'Mein Kampf' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/internet-tycoon-under-fire-for-hitler-signed-mein-kampf/ |access-date=22 August 2024 |work=Times of Israel |date=27 March 2014}} Dotcom said the book was a financial investment and that he was the victim of a "disgusting smear campaign".

In November 2017, Dotcom announced he would marry his fiancée, Elizabeth Donnelly, on 20 January 2018; the anniversary of the raid during which he was arrested.{{cite news|last=Wynn|first=Kirsty|title=Kim Dotcom weds Elizabeth Donnelly in private ceremony|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11978891|access-date=22 January 2017|work=The New Zealand Herald|archive-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803163503/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11978891|url-status=live}} They had been dating for two years and in 2017 moved to Queenstown to live.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11940374 Kim Dotcom and Elizabeth Donnelly to wed on raid anniversary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923234247/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11940374 |date=23 September 2020 }} NZ Herald. 5 November 2017 Their first child together was born in November 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kim-dotcoms-kash-win-new-baby-for-controversial-internet-entrepreneur/WWHK42P2NNCDLEKN4EXJ5PQGMI/ | title=Flush with Kash: Baby joy for Kim Dotcom and wife | date=6 August 2023 }} This was Dotcom's sixth child, also conceived using IVF.{{cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mrs-dotcom-speaks-on-life-love-and-babies-with-kim-dotcom/XCTTNHDPGSSY3R2EON5I3267FU/ | title=Exclusive interview - 'Why I married Kim Dotcom' | date=6 August 2023 }}

In 2024, Dotcom announced that he suffered a "serious stroke".{{Cite web |date=2024-11-25 |title=Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom has suffered a serious stroke, a post on his X account says |url=https://apnews.com/article/kim-dotcom-stroke-new-zealand-megaupload-extradition-e35032ae3a38b42da928154077f47dcd |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=AP News |language=en}} In 2025, he moved to Dunedin where he is receiving medical treatment.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-29 |title=Dotcom staying at Mosgiel mansion, denies purchase |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dotcom-staying-mosgiel-mansion-denies-purchase |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}}

As a teenager, Schmitz acquired a reputation in his native country of Germany after saying that he had bypassed the security of NASA, the Pentagon and Citibank under the name of Kimble, derived from Richard Kimble, a character in the 1963 TV series The Fugitive. Some of these hacks are disputed. He also stated that he had hacked corporate PBX systems in the United States and said he was selling the access codes.Michael Courtenay, [http://www.sociallyengineered.com.au/chronic/2012/02/03/chronic-megalife-of-kim-dotcom/ Megalife of Kim Dotcom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705064425/http://www.sociallyengineered.com.au/chronic/2012/02/03/chronic-megalife-of-kim-dotcom/ |date=5 July 2018 }}

Schmitz operated a bulletin board system called "House of Coolness" where users would trade pirated software; around 1993, Schmitz was reportedly targeted by German anti-piracy lawyer Günter von Gravenreuth, and had become a paid informant.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/04/17/where-kim-dotcom-got-his-start-the-house-of-coolness/|title=Where Kim Dotcom Got His Start: The House Of Coolness|first=Andy|last=Greenberg|website=Forbes|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=6 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206162733/http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/04/17/where-kim-dotcom-got-his-start-the-house-of-coolness/|url-status=live}} Schmitz was arrested in March 1994 for selling stolen phone numbers and held in custody for a month. He was arrested again in 1998 on more hacking charges and convicted of 11 counts of computer fraud and 10 counts of data espionage. He was given a two-year suspended sentence; the judge of the case described Schmitz's actions as "youthful foolishness".Austin Carr, [http://www.fastcompany.com/1810015/inside-megauploads-megamind-kim-dotcoms-playboy-bunnies-russian-nuclear-vessels-and-private- Inside Megaupload's Megamind: Kim Dotcom's Playboy Bunnies, Russian Nuclear Vessels, And Private War On Terror] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615114725/https://www.fastcompany.com/1810015/inside-megauploads-megamind-kim-dotcoms-playboy-bunnies-russian-nuclear-vessels-and-private- |date=15 June 2022 }}, 20 January 2012

{{anchor|Letsbuyit.com}}

In 2001, Schmitz bought €375,000 worth of shares of the nearly bankrupt company Letsbuyit.com [de] and subsequently announced his intention to invest €50 million in the company.[http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-21303770.html?name=Haftstrafe+f%26uuml%3Br+Schmitz%3F Haftstrafe für Schmitz?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919190317/https://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-21303770.html?name=Haftstrafe+f%26uuml%3Br+Schmitz%3F |date=19 September 2020 }} {{in lang|de}}, Der Spiegel 5/2002, 28 January 2002 The announcement caused the share value of Letsbuyit.com to jump,[http://www.manager-magazin.de/geld/boersenblick/0,2828,114029,00.html "Rekordanstieg bei Letsbuyit"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115153856/https://www.manager-magazin.de/finanzen/boersenblick/a-114029.html |date=15 January 2023 }} {{in lang|de}} Manager-Magazin, 25 January 2001 resulting in a €1.5 million profit for Schmitz.

Dotcom moved to Thailand to avoid investigation, but was arrested there at the request of the German embassy. In response, he allegedly pretended to kill himself online and declared through his website that he wished to be known as "His Royal Highness King Kimble the First, Ruler of the Kimpire".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/kim-dotcom/ |magazine=Wired |first=Sean |last=Gallagher |title=The Fast, Fabulous, Allegedly Fraudulent Life of Megaupload's Kim Dotcom |date=26 January 2012 |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-date=27 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127000449/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/kim-dotcom/ |url-status=live }} He was deported back to Germany where he pleaded guilty to embezzlement in November 2003 and, after five months in jail awaiting trial, again received a suspended sentence, this time of 20 months.[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_15/b3878157_mz035.htm Luring German Investors Back Into The Pool] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419175117/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_15/b3878157_mz035.htm |date=19 April 2012 }}, Business Week, 12 April 2004. After avoiding a prison sentence for a second time, he left Germany and moved to Hong Kong in late 2003.

Dotcom registered Kimpire Limited in December 2003, soon after moving there. He set up a network of interlinked companies, including Trendax, which he said was an artificial intelligence-driven hedge fund. However, Trendax was never registered with Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission and the company was not legally allowed to accept investments or to conduct trades. After moving to New Zealand, Dotcom did not disclose his investment activity to the Securities and Futures Commission and was fined HK$8,000.

Dotcom visited New Zealand for 10 days in December 2008 and again for two months in 2009.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6547471/Secrecy-over-Dotcoms-residency-application Secrecy over Dotcom's residency application] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812141729/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6547471/Secrecy-over-Dotcoms-residency-application |date=12 August 2022 }}, The New Zealand Herald, 9 March 2012 He applied for residency and received it in November 2010. Immigration New Zealand made its decision on his application, despite his foreign convictions and despite his persona non grata status in Thailand, after officials used a special direction to waive "good character" requirements.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} Warwick Tuck, head of Immigration New Zealand, said that Dotcom had been granted residency as an "investor plus", or someone who invested $10 million in New Zealand.[http://www.3news.co.nz/Megaupload-accused-Kim-Schmitz-in-court-helicopter-part-of-bail-debate/tabid/423/articleID/240281/Default.aspx Megaupload accused Kim Schmitz in court, helicopter part of bail debate] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120730022205/http://www.3news.co.nz/Megaupload-accused-Kim-Schmitz-in-court-helicopter-part-of-bail-debate/tabid/423/articleID/240281/Default.aspx |date=30 July 2012 }}, TV3 News 23 January 2012

Despite granting him residency, Immigration New Zealand expressed concern that their decision might attract criticism that they had allowed Dotcom to buy his way into the country and attempted to keep it secret. Dotcom's residency status subsequently became the subject of intense media speculation when it came to light that Auckland mayor John Banks had become involved and that New Zealand's intelligence services had spied on him—an act made illegal by Dotcom's possession of residency in New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand officers judged Dotcom's convictions in Hong Kong to be too minor to consider deporting him.

On his residency application of 3 June 2010, Dotcom erroneously denied having been convicted of dangerous driving; he had pled guilty to dangerous driving north of Auckland in September 2009. The media speculated at the time that this could provide grounds for deportation.{{cite news |title=Kim Dotcom didn't declare dangerous driving conviction |first=David |last=Fisher |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11350258 |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=30 October 2014 |access-date=30 October 2014 |archive-date=29 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029210018/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11350258 |url-status=live }}

John Banks met Dotcom when Banks was Mayor of Auckland City. He asked Dotcom for help putting on a fireworks display in the city's harbour. Banks later attended a New Year's Eve party thrown by Dotcom at the city centre apartment of now bankrupt property developer David Henderson. He said it provided a great view of the fireworks display detonated over the Waitematā Harbour. Banks said he had advised Dotcom on how to obtain permission from the Overseas Investment Office to buy the Coatesville mansion.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10731751 Flamboyant former hacker to settle in NZ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803163552/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10731751 |date=3 August 2018 }}, The New Zealand Herald, 12 June 2011

On 28 April 2012, Dotcom revealed he had donated $50,000 to John Banks' mayoral campaign in 2010 and that Banks had asked him to split the donation in two, allowing the Banks campaign to claim them as anonymous by falling within the anonymous limit of $25,000. In 2014, Banks was found guilty of filing a false electoral return, with evidence from Dotcom playing a major part in the case. This conviction was subsequently overturned on appeal following the discovery of new evidence, and a planned retrial was later cancelled and a verdict of acquittal entered.{{cite news |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11451091 |title= John Banks cleared |publisher= NZHerald |date= 19 May 2015 |access-date= 15 January 2023 |archive-date= 2 October 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201002193639/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11451091 |url-status= live }}

Among Dotcom's revelations was a phone call from Banks, thanking him for the contribution.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10834732 Act sticks by Banks – for now] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923225712/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10834732 |date=23 September 2020 }}, The New Zealand Herald, 18 September 2012 Dotcom subsequently recorded a song titled Amnesia, which mocks John Banks and the controversy of Dotcom's donation to him. A poll in October 2012 found the New Zealand public had a more favourable view of Kim Dotcom than of Banks.{{cite news|url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Kim-Dotcom-more-popular-than-John-Banks---poll/tabid/1607/articleID/272362/Default.aspx|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130223005225/http://www.3news.co.nz/Kim-Dotcom-more-popular-than-John-Banks---poll/tabid/1607/articleID/272362/Default.aspx|url-status= dead|archive-date= 23 February 2013|title= Kim Dotcom more popular than John Banks – poll|publisher= 3 News NZ|date= 11 October 2012}}

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{{Main|Megaupload}}

{{See also|Megaupload legal case}}

In February 2003, Dotcom set up Data Protect Limited, but changed the name to Megaupload in 2005. He was the chief executive officer.{{Cite web|url=https://financialpost.com/technology/megaupload-founder-kim-dotcom-released-on-bail|title=Kim Dotcom. founder of MegaUpload, released from jail in New Zealand |date=22 February 2012|language=en-CA|access-date=8 February 2020|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919234429/https://financialpost.com/technology/megaupload-founder-kim-dotcom-released-on-bail|url-status=live}} Megaupload was an online file-hosting and sharing service in which users could share links to files for viewing or editing, much of it pirated.{{cite web |last=Sandoval |first=Greg |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57362152-261/fbi-charges-megaupload-operators-with-piracy-crimes |title=FBI charges Megaupload operators with piracy crimes |publisher=CNET News |date=20 January 2012 |access-date=19 January 2012 |archive-date=21 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121033018/http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57362152-261/fbi-charges-megaupload-operators-with-piracy-crimes/ |url-status=live }} Eventually it had over 150 employees,{{Cite web |date=18 January 2012 |title=MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service |url=http://megaupload.com/?c=about |access-date=2 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118204852/http://megaupload.com/?c=about |archive-date=18 January 2012 }} US$175 million revenues,{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Nate |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/google-cut-off-megauploads-ad-money-voluntarily-back-in-2007.ars |title=Google cut off Megaupload's ad money voluntarily back in 2007 |work=Ars Technica |date=20 January 2012 |access-date=27 January 2012 |archive-date=8 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708015105/http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/01/google-cut-off-megauploads-ad-money-voluntarily-back-in-2007/ |url-status=live }} and 50 million daily visitors. At its peak Megaupload was estimated to be the 13th-most popular site on the Internet and responsible for 4% of all Internet traffic.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204616504577171180266957116 |title=Department of Justice indictment |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=27 January 2012 |archive-date=15 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715035322/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204616504577171180266957116.html |url-status=live }}

On 5 January 2012,{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/January/12-crm-074.html |title=Justice Department charges leaders of Megaupload with widespread online copyright infringement |publisher=United States Department of Justice |date=19 January 2012 |access-date=2 May 2012 |archive-date=19 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419042153/http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/January/12-crm-074.html |url-status=live }} indictments were filed in Virginia in the United States against Dotcom and other company executives with crimes including racketeering, conspiring to commit copyright infringement, and conspiring to commit money laundering.{{Cite web|url=https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/Virginia_Eastern_District_Court/1--12-cr-00003/USA_v._Dotcom_et_al/1/|title=USA v. Dotcom et al, 1:12-cr-00003, No. 1 (E.D.Va. Jan. 5, 2012)|website=Docket Alarm|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924112353/https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/Virginia_Eastern_District_Court/1--12-cr-00003/USA_v._Dotcom_et_al/1/|url-status=live}} Two weeks later on 20 January, Dotcom, Finn Batato, Mathias Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} were arrested in Coatesville, New Zealand by the New Zealand Police, in an armed raid on Dotcom's house involving 76 officers and two helicopters.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10856144 |title=Editorial: Kim Dotcom sets off year of fireworks for politicians |publisher=The New Zealand Herald |date=27 December 2012 |access-date=18 January 2013 |archive-date=29 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229094311/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10856144 |url-status=live }} Seized assets included eighteen luxury cars, large TVs, works of art and US$175 million in cash. Dotcom's bank accounts were frozen, denying him access to 64 bank accounts world-wide, including BNZ and Kiwibank accounts in New Zealand, government bonds and money from numerous PayPal accounts.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6293542/Megaupload-attempting-to-get-back-online Megaload attempting to get back online] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130112042228/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6293542/Megaupload-attempting-to-get-back-online |date=12 January 2013 }}, Stuff website 21 January 2012

Dotcom was remanded to Mt Eden Prison and alleged poor treatment by the authorities.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10788982 Dotcom: I will beat charges] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216145031/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10788982 |date=16 February 2017 }}, The New Zealand Herald, 1 March 2012 On 22 February, North Shore District Court Judge Nevin Dawson overturned previous rulings and released Dotcom on bail, reasoning that Dotcom had neither the ability nor desire to flee the country.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17122866|title=Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom granted bail|publisher=BBC News |date=22 February 2012|access-date=22 February 2012|archive-date=19 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719030910/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17122866|url-status=live}}

On 28 June 2012, High Court of New Zealand Justice Helen Winkelmann found that the warrants used to seize Dotcom's property were illegal because they were too broad.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816121 |title=Dotcom searches illegal: Judge |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=28 June 2012 |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807151821/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816121 |url-status=live }} The Crown later admitted that it was aware that it was using the wrong order while the raid was in progress and that Dotcom should have been given the chance to challenge the seizure.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816159|title=Dotcom wins major victory|work=The New Zealand Herald |date=29 June 2012|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923214224/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816159|url-status=live}} It also admitted to giving seized hard drives to the FBI, who made copies of them in New Zealand and then sent them back to the US. Justice Winkelmann ruled that the handing of hard drives seized by New Zealand police in the raid to the FBI, and the copying of data on them by the FBI, was illegal.

As a result of those rulings, Justice Judith Potter allowed Dotcom to withdraw approximately NZ$6 million (US$4.8 million) on 28 August 2012 of his seized assets, and to sell nine of his cars. The amount released was to cover $2.6 million in existing legal bills, $1 million in future costs, and another $1 million in rent on his New Zealand mansion.{{cite news |title=Funds released for Dotcom's legal bills |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/funds-released-for-dotcoms-legal-bills/story-e6frg13l-1226460951083 |date=28 June 2012 |access-date=28 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031082209/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/funds-released-for-dotcoms-legal-bills/story-e6frg13l-1226460951083 |archive-date=31 October 2012 }}

In May 2012, a district court judge ruled that the FBI should hand over all its evidence against Dotcom relating to the extradition bid. The Crown appealed, but the ruling was upheld by the High Court. The Crown appealed again and in March 2013, the Court of Appeal quashed the previous court decisions. Crown lawyer John Pike, on behalf of the US Government, argued that the district court had no power to make disclosure decisions in an extradition case and that "disclosure was extensive and could involve billions of emails". The Court of Appeal agreed stating that extradition hearings were not trials and the full protections and procedures for criminal trials did not apply. Dotcom's lawyer, Paul Davison, QC, appealed to the Supreme Court. In May 2013, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case, so it will make the final decision on whether Dotcom should receive all the FBI investigation files before the extradition hearing.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10884084|title=Supreme Court allows appeal|work=The New Zealand Herald |date=16 May 2013|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=10 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410114847/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10884084|url-status=live}}

A series of subsequent court decisions delayed every attempt to hold a hearing focused on extradition. In March 2013, Dotcom won a Court of Appeal ruling allowing him to sue the New Zealand Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB),{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Dotcom-wins-right-to-sue-Govt-spies/tabid/423/articleID/289342/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ|title=Dotcom wins right to sue Govt spies|date=7 March 2013|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714134619/http://www.3news.co.nz/Dotcom-wins-right-to-sue-Govt-spies/tabid/423/articleID/289342/Default.aspx|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10869764 |work=The New Zealand Herald |title=Dotcom wins right to sue |date=7 March 2013 |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-date=21 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421165403/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10869764 |url-status=live }} rejecting the attorney's-general appeal against a ruling in December 2012.{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Crown-wants-GCSB-exluded-from-Dotcom-case/tabid/423/articleID/286755/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ|title=Crown wants GCSB exluded from Dotcom case|date=7 March 2013|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150127/http://www.3news.co.nz/Crown-wants-GCSB-exluded-from-Dotcom-case/tabid/423/articleID/286755/Default.aspx|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/128063/judge-describes-dotcom-case-as-a-procedural-mess|work=Radio NZ|title=Judge describes Dotcom case as a procedural mess|date=14 February 2013|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=14 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214135637/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/128063/judge-describes-dotcom-case-as-a-procedural-mess|url-status=live}} A month later, Dotcom appeared in court again, seeking compensation from police over the raid on his house, which earlier had been deemed illegal.{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Dotcom-back-in-court-to-sue-police/tabid/423/articleID/294275/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ|title=Dotcom back in court to sue police|date=15 April 2013|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714164526/http://www.3news.co.nz/Dotcom-back-in-court-to-sue-police/tabid/423/articleID/294275/Default.aspx|url-status=live}}

In November 2017, Dotcom and his former wife Mona accepted a confidential settlement from the police over the raid. The settlement came after a damages claim was filed with the High Court over the "unreasonable" use of force when the anti-terrorism Special Tactics Group raided his mansion in January 2012. Settlements have already{{When|date=July 2021}} been reached between police and Bram van der Kolk and Mathias Ortmann, who were also arrested. The New Zealand Herald reported that their settlements were six-figure sums and "it is likely Dotcom would seek more as the main target in the raid". Commenting on the settlement, Dotcom said: "We were shocked at the uncharacteristic handling of my arrest for a non-violent Internet copyright infringement charge brought by the United States, which is not even a crime in New Zealand".[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11940279 Dotcom wins settlement from police over the 2012 dawn raid which saw him arrested] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226201125/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11940279 |date=26 December 2019 }}, New Zealand Herald, 3 November 2017

In February 2014, the New Zealand Court of Appeal deemed the raids on Kim Dotcom to be legal but not the FBI's taking of information.{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/9739447/ |title=Dotcom raid legal, FBI taking evidence not |work=Stuff.co.nz |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-date=13 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613220929/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/9739447/ |url-status=live }} Dotcom appealed this decision to the Supreme Court. In December four of the five judges agreed with the Court of Appeal that the raid was legal and ordered Dotcom to pay $35,000 costs. Chief Justice Sian Elias dissented, saying there had been a miscarriage of justice as the search warrant was too broad.[http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/court-rules-dotcom-mansion-raid-legal-2014122311#axzz3MkV2gbFR Court rules Dotcom mansion raid legal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531150244/http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/court-rules-dotcom-mansion-raid-legal-2014122311#axzz3MkV2gbFR |date=31 May 2015 }}, TV3 News 23 December 2014

A month before the Supreme Court decision, Dotcom's legal team quit after he had spent $10 million on his defence, financed the Internet Party, then run out of money. When the US tried to have his bail revoked, a new lawyer, Ron Mansfield, helped keep him out of prison.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/63552244/dotcom-officially-broke-right-now.html Dotcom 'officially broke right now' video] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924170846/http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/63552244/dotcom-officially-broke-right-now.html |date=24 September 2015 }}, Stuff 26 November 2014 In December 2014, events took another turn when the High Court in Hong Kong ruled that the United States "did not have a clear path to serve a legal summons on Dotcom's filesharing company" and he could take a case to get back $60 million seized by authorities there. In making this decision, Judge Tallentire said, "No one can say when that process of extradition will be completed given the appeal paths open to the various accused. Indeed, no one can say if it will ever be completed".[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11370807 Kim Dotcom's fight for Hong Kong millions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923231026/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11370807 |date=23 September 2020 }}, New Zealand Herald, 8 December 2014

After his arrest by the New Zealand police in January 2012, Dotcom had an ongoing dispute with Prime Minister John Key about when Key had first become aware of Dotcom. Dotcom argued that Key had been involved in a plan to allow him into New Zealand so that he could then be extradited to the US to face copyright charges. Key had consistently said he had never heard of Dotcom until the day before the New Zealand police raid on his mansion in Coatesville.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11324685 Kiwis' data lodged with NSA – Greenwald] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814140738/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11324685 |date=14 August 2018 }}, The New Zealand Herald, 15 September 2014

On 24 September 2012, Key revealed that, at the request of the police, the New Zealand GCSB had spied on Dotcom to help police locate him and monitor his communications in the weeks prior to the raid on his house.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10836179|title=Dotcom: Illegal spying revealed|work=The New Zealand Herald |date=24 September 2012|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803165040/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10836179|url-status=live}} The GCSB are not allowed to spy on New Zealand citizens or permanent residents; Dotcom, though not a citizen, had been granted permanent residency. Three days later, Key apologised for the illegal spying.{{cite news |title=New Zealand Prime Minister John Key Apologizes To Kim Dotcom, Says Spying Was Illegal |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/27/new-zealand-prime-minister-illegally-spied-on-kim-dotcom_n_1919275.html |date=27 September 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012 |work=Huffington Post |first=Dominique |last=Mosbergen |archive-date=29 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929222038/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/27/new-zealand-prime-minister-illegally-spied-on-kim-dotcom_n_1919275.html |url-status=live }}

In December 2012, Chief High Court judge Helen Winkelmann ordered the GCSB to "confirm all entities" to which it gave information. This also allowed Dotcom to sue the Crown for damages.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10852335 Dotcom can pursue case against police] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601025058/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10852335 |date=1 June 2020 }}, GCSB, The New Zealand Herald The Crown appealed Justice Winkelmann's decision, but in March 2013, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10869764 |title=Dotcom wins right to sue |publisher=The New Zealand Herald |date=7 March 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203082528/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10869764 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/document/pdf/201310/KimDotCOm.pdf|work=The New Zealand Herald |title=Judgement of the court|date=7 March 2013|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123081436/http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/document/pdf/201310/KimDotCOm.pdf|url-status=live}} Dotcom was unable to access the information, but Stuart Grieve QC, who was appointed as a Special Advocate, was given access. Dotcom argued in the Court of Appeal that there had been judicial miscarriage, but the court ruled in favour of the GCSB. Dotcom next sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court but in February 2020, it rejected his appeal and ordered him to pay the GCSB NZ$2,500.[https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119254850/kim-dotcom-fails-in-supreme-court-appeal-ordered-to-pay-25k-to-gcsb Kim Dotcom fails in Supreme Court appeal, ordered to pay $2.5k to GCSB] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710080650/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119254850/kim-dotcom-fails-in-supreme-court-appeal-ordered-to-pay-25k-to-gcsb |date=10 July 2022 }}, Stuff 4 February 2020

The mistakes by authorities attracted widespread media coverage and Key's handling of the affair was criticised by opposition parties in Parliament. Political commentator Bryce Edwards criticised the GCSB's involvement and described the prosecution of Dotcom as "the stuff of farce".[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10836888 Political round-up: Growing anger over Dotcom fiasco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923232316/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10836888 |date=23 September 2020 }}, The New Zealand Herald, 27 September 2012 The Sunday Star-Times commentator Richard Boock compared the Dotcom saga to Watergate and suggested it might eventually 'bring down' John Key.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/blogs/an-auckland-minute/7783889/Could-Dotcom-bring-down-Key Could Dotcom bring down Key?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803134103/http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/blogs/an-auckland-minute/7783889/Could-Dotcom-bring-down-Key |date=3 August 2018 }} Auckland Now, 9 October 2012 The story made headlines overseas, including in The Wall Street Journal,{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443916104578021590722745574|work=The Wall Street Journal|title=New Zealand Admits Error In Dotcom Investigation|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=7 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107135821/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443916104578021590722745574|url-status=live}} The New York Times,{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/04/technology/megaupload-founder-goes-from-arrest-to-cult-hero.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |work=The New York Times |first=Jonathan |last=Hutchison |title=Megaupload Founder Goes From Arrest to Cult Hero |date=3 July 2012 |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-date=3 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803134104/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/04/technology/megaupload-founder-goes-from-arrest-to-cult-hero.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |url-status=live }} The Guardian{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/sep/27/new-zealand-apologises-kim-dotcom?INTCMP=SRCH |location=London |work=The Guardian |title=New Zealand PM apologises to Kim Dotcom over spying 'error' |date=27 September 2012 |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510084049/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/sep/27/new-zealand-apologises-kim-dotcom?INTCMP=SRCH |url-status=live }} and the Hollywood Reporter{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kim-dotcom-new-zealand-government-spying-373774 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Pip |last=Bulbeck |title=New Zealand Government Admits to Spying Bungle in Kim Dotcom Extradition Case |date=24 September 2012 |access-date=15 January 2023 |archive-date=9 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409021925/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kim-dotcom-new-zealand-government-spying-373774 |url-status=live }} which specialises in legal and entertainment issues.John Key's Hollywood jaunt will be scrutinised, Dominion Post 1 October 2012

Dotcom claimed to be a legitimate businessman who has been persecuted by the United States government and industry trade groups such as the RIAA and Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).{{cite web |date=18 December 2011 |title=From Rogue To Vogue: Megaupload and Kim Dotcom. December 18, 2011 |url=http://torrentfreak.com/from-rogue-to-vogue-megaupload-and-kim-dotcom-111218/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504045057/http://torrentfreak.com/from-rogue-to-vogue-megaupload-and-kim-dotcom-111218/ |archive-date=4 May 2012 |access-date=2 May 2012 |publisher=Torrentfreak.com}} He blames former US President Barack Obama for colluding with Hollywood to orchestrate his arrest and has spoken out against his negative portrayal in the media. In regard to the illegal spying conducted by GCSB, Dotcom said they were not spying to find out where he was.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/7802709/Dotcom-more-popular-than-Banks Dotcom more popular than Banks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804154130/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/7802709/Dotcom-more-popular-than-Banks|date=4 August 2022}}, The New Zealand Herald, 11 October 2012 In May 2013, Dotcom released a 39-page white paper alleging that the US government persecuted him at the behest of Hollywood, in exchange for support for Obama.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10882074 Key misled by US, claims Dotcom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410123406/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10882074|date=10 April 2016}} The New Zealand Herald, 8 May 2013

Speculation about Hollywood's role in Dotcom's arrest grew when, in September 2012, Key made a four-day visit to meet top studio executives.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10837799 Key: LA visit about jobs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922203244/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10837799|date=22 September 2020}}, The New Zealand Herald, 2 October 2012 Key said the trip was intended to promote New Zealand as a good country to produce films,{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} but he was planning to meet with the MPAA, which had described Dotcom as "a career criminal".

In November 2013, The New Zealand Herald journalist David Fisher published The Secret Life of Kim Dotcom: Spies, Lies and the War for the Internet.{{cite news |last=Tait |first=Morgan |date=21 November 2013 |title=Inside Kim Dotcom's mind |work=New Zealand Herald |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/inside-kim-dotcoms-mind/4BPJSBDVDENN45U4R7BTI6NTSE/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508233507/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/inside-kim-dotcoms-mind/4BPJSBDVDENN45U4R7BTI6NTSE/ |archive-date=8 May 2021}}

File:Internet Mana Party Tour 4 August 2014 03.JPG

In September 2013, Dotcom revealed he aspired to enter New Zealand politics.{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9113113/Kim-Dotcom-to-enter-politics |title=Kim Dotcom to enter politics? |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |date=1 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109044456/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9113113/Kim-Dotcom-to-enter-politics |archive-date= 9 November 2013 |url-status=dead }} On 27 March 2014, Dotcom founded the Internet Party.{{cite web |url=https://internet.org.nz/news/4 |title=Internet Party now online for New Zealand |access-date=27 August 2014 |publisher=Internet Party of New Zealand |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903122841/https://internet.org.nz/news/4 |archive-date=3 September 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9873341/Launch-day-for-Kim-Dotcoms-Internet-Party|title=Launch day for Kim Dotcom's Internet Party|publisher=Stuff |first=Laura|last=Walters|access-date=27 August 2014|date=27 March 2014|archive-date=19 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719074047/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9873341/Launch-day-for-Kim-Dotcoms-Internet-Party|url-status=live}} In May 2014, it was announced that the Internet Party would form a political alliance with the Mana Party,{{cite web|url=http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2014/05/30/newz-m30.html|title=New Zealand's Internet and Mana parties merge|publisher=World Socialist Web Site|author=John Braddock|date=30 May 2014|access-date=16 February 2015|archive-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030085247/http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2014/05/30/newz-m30.html|url-status=live}} led by local activist and sitting Member of Parliament Hone Harawira. The deal was brokered to serve the Mana Party financially, with the combined structure's political campaign in the 2014 general election being primarily funded by Dotcom. In contrast, the fledgling Internet Party was to benefit from the possibility of seats in parliament in the event that the combined structure were to achieve a greater percentage of the country's vote, helped along by the Mana Party's existing seat. Due to his citizenship status, Dotcom was ineligible to become a member of parliament,{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9600518/Dotcom-sets-sights-on-politics|title=Dotcom sets sights on politics|work=Stuff |date=11 January 2014 |access-date=16 February 2015|archive-date=26 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226173242/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9600518/Dotcom-sets-sights-on-politics|url-status=live}} and Laila Harré, a veteran of left-wing politics and trade unions, was chosen as leader of the Internet Party.{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Laila-Harre-to-lead-Internet-Party/tabid/1607/articleID/346312/Default.aspx|title=Laila Harre to lead Internet Party|access-date=16 February 2015|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202516/http://www.3news.co.nz/Laila-Harre-to-lead-Internet-Party/tabid/1607/articleID/346312/Default.aspx|url-status=live}}

{{listen|filename=The Moment of Truth Press Conference.ogg|title=Kim Dotcom and others at a press conference after The Moment of Truth}}

On 16 September 2014, Dotcom held an event in the Auckland Town Hall five days before the election in which he promised to provide "absolute proof" that Prime Minister John Key knew about him long before he was arrested.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11324988 Dotcom email is a fake – Warner Bros] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705175628/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11324988 |date=5 July 2020 }},The New Zealand Herald, 16 December 2014 The event was billed as the "Moment of Truth" and included the release of what was claimed to be an email, dated 27 October 2010 from Kevin Tsujihara, the chief executive of Warner Bros. to a senior executive at the Motion Picture Association of America – the lobby group for the Hollywood studios. The New Zealand Herald, which broke the story, contacted Warner Bros., who said the email was a fake.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11325021 Who is Kevin Tsujihara, the Hollywood exec in Dotcom's big reveal?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721192037/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11325021 |date=21 July 2018 }} The New Zealand Herald, 16 September 2014

In the 2014 general election, the joint Internet Party and Mana Movement gained 1.42% of the nationwide party vote but failed to win any seats. Dotcom, who was not a candidate because he is not a New Zealand citizen,[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29268823 New Zealand's National Party wins re-election] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120001409/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29268823 |date=20 November 2021 }}, BBC News 20 September 2014 sank NZ$3.5 million into the Internet Party, the largest personal contribution to a political party on record in New Zealand, according to the national Electoral Commission.[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/19/world/asia/kim-dotcom-online-renegade-shakes-up-new-zealand-election.html Online Renegade, Wanted in U.S., Shakes Up New Zealand Election] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031084850/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/19/world/asia/kim-dotcom-online-renegade-shakes-up-new-zealand-election.html |date=31 October 2022 }}, The New York Times, 18 September 2014 "I take full responsibility for this loss tonight", Dotcom told reporters as election results became clear, "because the brand—the brand Kim Dotcom—was poison for what we were trying to achieve".[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/21/world/asia/new-zealands-ruling-national-party-is-re-elected.html New Zealand's Ruling National Party Is Re-elected] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625012850/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/21/world/asia/new-zealands-ruling-national-party-is-re-elected.html |date=25 June 2022 }}, The New York Times, 20 September 2014 The Serious Fraud Office investigated the email and determined that it was a forgery.{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=David |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11820379 |title=SFO: Kim Dotcom's smoking gun email evidence was a 'forgery' |date=17 March 2017 |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=22 May 2017 |archive-date=23 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523142918/http://www.nzherald.co.nz//nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11820379 |url-status=live }}

The media criticised Dotcom for "failing to deliver" at the Moment of Truth after saying for three years that he could prove John Key had lied in relation to his copyright case.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11325351 Dotcom telling the truth over email – Harre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301040004/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11325351 |date=1 March 2020 }}, New Zealand Herald, 16 September 2014.[http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/dotcom-fails-deliver-claim-key-knew-him-6082768 Dotcom fails to deliver on claim about when Key knew of him] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706125710/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/national-news/dotcom-fails-deliver-claim-key-knew-him-6082768 |date=6 July 2022 }}, TVOne News, 16 September 2014 After the election, in which the Internet Mana alliance failed to win a seat, public support for Dotcom seemed to dissipate. Dotcom said in January 2015 he had become such "a pariah" in New Zealand that he might as well leave the country.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11381758 Kim Dotcom: I'm a pariah in New Zealand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810111018/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11381758 |date=10 August 2020 }}, New Zealand Herald, 4 January 2015

The party remained leaderless until 8 February 2017, when Suzie Dawson was appointed as its new leader for the 2017 general election. The Mana connection was dropped and the party contended as the single entity the Internet Party.{{cite news|last=Hurley|first=Sam|title=Kim Dotcom's Internet Party names exiled citizen journalist Suzie Dawson as leader|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11877476|access-date=7 October 2017|publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=17 June 2017|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120810/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11877476|url-status=live}} The Internet Party ran 8 party list candidates.{{cite web|title=Party and Candidate Lists for 2017 Election|url=http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/party-and-candidate-lists-2017-election|publisher=New Zealand Electoral Commission|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120507/http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/party-and-candidate-lists-2017-election|archive-date=7 October 2017|url-status=dead}} The party won only 499 votes (0.0%) and failed to win any seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives.{{cite web|title=2017 General Election – Official Result|url=http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/|publisher=New Zealand Electoral Commission|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120051/http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/|url-status=live}}

The Internet Party was deregistered on 12 June 2018 because its membership had dropped below the 500 required for registration.{{cite news |title=Cancellation of Party Registration |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/cancellation-party-registration-0 |publisher=New Zealand Electoral Commission |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614021243/http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/cancellation-party-registration-0 |archive-date=14 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}

After three years' legal wrangling, involving two Supreme Court cases and ten separate delays, extradition proceedings finally got underway in an Auckland court on 21 September 2015.{{cite news|title=Kim Dotcom in court for US extradition hearing after three years of delays|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/21/kim-dotcom-in-court-for-us-extradition-hearing-after-three-years-of-delays|access-date=21 September 2015|work=The Guardian |agency=Australian Associated Press|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923004606/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/21/kim-dotcom-in-court-for-us-extradition-hearing-after-three-years-of-delays|url-status=live}}

The wrangling continued at the hearing with Dotcom and his colleagues saying that they were unable to present a proper defence because the US had threatened to seize any funds they try to spend on international experts in Internet copyright issues.[http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/286343/dotcom-lawyer-accuses-us-of-'secrecy-bordering-on-deceit' Dotcom lawyer accuses US of 'secrecy bordering on deceit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705093140/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/286343/dotcom-lawyer-accuses-us-of-%27secrecy-bordering-on-deceit%27 |date=5 July 2018 }}' Radio New Zealand. Dotcom's American lawyer, Ira Rothken, said they would need about US$500,000 to get evidence from the appropriate experts.[http://m.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=11525855 Dotcom: $500K to fight extradition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220201332/http://m.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=11525855 |date=20 December 2016 }}, NZ Herald Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig, an international expert in copyright and fair use, provided his written opinion for free. He said there were no legal grounds to extradite Dotcom and the allegations and evidence made public by the US Department of Justice "do not meet the requirements necessary to support a prima facie case that would be recognised by United States federal law".[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11514142 No grounds to extradite Kim Dotcom, says Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922213616/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11514142 |date=22 September 2020 }}, NZ Herald

Once the hearing finally got under way, Crown prosecutor Christine Gordon, on behalf of the US Government, called it a "simple scheme of fraud".[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11538846 Kim Dotcom's lawyer: 'There's no crime against making money from a brilliant idea'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923232044/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11538846 |date=23 September 2020 }}, NZ Herald, 2 November 2015 Defence lawyer Ron Mansfield's 300-page submission began with the argument that the case should be thrown out because the United States Supreme Court ruled in a parallel case in 1982 that copyright infringement was a civil matter and could not be prosecuted as criminal fraud.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11541364 Kanye, a Kardashian, the King and Dotcom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920053440/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11541364 |date=20 September 2020 }}, NZ Herald, 7 November 2015

The Crown also made numerous references to intercepted Skype conversations between Dotcom and his co-defendants. Gordon said one message written by Dotcom, when translated from German, read: "At some point a judge will be convinced about how evil we are and then we are in trouble." Mansfield said this sentence was used repeatedly by Gordon during her submission "with the knowledge that it would make international media headlines". Mansfield had the passage translated by three independent academics who said it had a very different meaning and should read: "At some stage a judge will be talked into how bad we allegedly are and then it will be a mess."[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11538876 Kim Dotcom trial: Crown accused of incorrect translations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923222502/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11538876 |date=23 September 2020 }}, NZ Herald, 2 November 2015

On 23 December 2015, North Shore District Court Judge Nevin Dawson announced that Dotcom and the three other Megaupload co-founders were eligible for extradition. He said the US had a "large body of evidence" which supported a prima facie case.{{specify|date=September 2022}}{{cite news|title=Kim Dotcom loses extradition case|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/75407880/kim-dotcom-loses-extradition-case|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-date=15 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115153855/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/75407880/kim-dotcom-loses-extradition-case-files-immediate-appeal|url-status=live}} An immediate appeal was lodged by Dotcom's lawyer.[http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/292902/dotcom-case-'destined-for-supreme-court' Dotcom case 'destined for Supreme Court'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614094637/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/292902/dotcom-case-%27destined-for-supreme-court%27 |date=14 June 2018 }}, Radio NZ, 24 December 2015{{cite news|title=Kim Dotcom Loses Extradition Battle, Appeal Made|url=http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11565399|access-date=23 December 2015|publisher=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223190339/http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11565399|url-status=live}}

In February 2017, the New Zealand High Court upheld the earlier decision of the district court that Dotcom and his three co-accused could be extradited to the United States. However, Justice Murray Gilbert accepted the argument made by Dotcom's legal team that he and his former Megaupload colleagues cannot be extradited because of copyright infringement. The judge said he made this decision because "online communication of copyright protected works to the public is not a criminal offence in New Zealand". However, Justice Gilbert said there were "general criminal law fraud provisions" in New Zealand law which covered the actions of the accused and they could be extradited on that basis.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11804230 Kim Dotcom and co-accused eligible for extradition to US, says High Court] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005193022/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11804230 |date=5 October 2020 }}, NZ Herald, 20 February 2017

Dotcom saw this decision as a major victory saying: "The major part of this litigation has been won by this judgement—that copyright is not extraditable." The ruling opened the door to further appeals because the warrant which was served on him when he was arrested on 20 January 2012, stated he was being charged specifically with "copyright" offences. Both sides are expected to challenge aspects of the ruling before the New Zealand Court of Appeal and eventually the Supreme Court.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11804210 Kim Dotcom legal saga: Extradition to US over Megaupload still on cards but he claims court ruling is a 'major victory'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005193025/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11804210 |date=5 October 2020 }}, NZ Herald, 20 February 2017

On 5 July 2018, the New Zealand Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision that Dotcom and the three co-accused could be extradited to the United States. In particular, the Court, disagreeing with Justice Gilbert, found that, even during the time of Megaupload's operations, it was a criminal offence in New Zealand to possess digital copyrighted works with an intention to disseminate them. Accordingly, Dotcom and his co-accused could be extradited on the basis of copyright infringement to stand trial in the United States.{{Cite court|litigants=Ortmann v United States of America|court=NZCA|opinion=233|date=5 July 2018|url=https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/cases/ortmann-ors-v-united-states-of-americe-anor/@@images/fileDecision}} Dotcom's lawyer said that he would appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.{{Cite news|last1=Greenfield|first1=Charlotte|last2=Kihara|first2=Leika|date=4 July 2018|title=Kim Dotcom, Megaupload founder, can face U.S. extradition: New Zealand court|language=en-US|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-internet-dotcom/megaupload-founder-kim-dotcom-can-be-extradited-to-u-s-new-zealand-court-idUSKBN1JU2WY|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705013117/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-internet-dotcom/megaupload-founder-kim-dotcom-can-be-extradited-to-u-s-new-zealand-court-idUSKBN1JU2WY|url-status=live}} In June 2019, Dotcom began "a final appeal to halt his extradition from New Zealand to the US".{{cite news|date=10 June 2019|title=Kim Dotcom in final bid to halt extradition|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-48582958|url-status=live|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105065150/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-48582958|archive-date=5 November 2020}}

On 4 November 2020, the Supreme Court of New Zealand ruled that Dotcom could be extradited to the United States to face 12 criminal copyright-related charges. However, the Supreme Court also ruled that he and three other co-defendants could challenge the decision through judicial review. In addition, the Supreme Court ruled that the High Court and Court of Appeal had been wrong not to consider their application for judicial review of the original district court decision in 2015 that had first ruled in favour of extradition. Dotcom's lawyer Ron Mansfield described the judgment as a "mixed bag", stating that the Supreme Court had accepted there were "serious procedural issues" while warning that the Court's rejection of Megaupload's "safe harbour" defence would have "an immediate and chilling impact" on the Internet.{{cite news |last=Pullar-Strecker |first=Tom |title=Supreme Court rules Kim Dotcom can be extradited - subject to judicial review |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/123270837/supreme-court-rules-kim-dotcom-can-be-extradited--subject-to-judicial-review |access-date=7 November 2020 |work=Stuff |date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104022240/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/123270837/supreme-court-rules-kim-dotcom-can-be-extradited--subject-to-judicial-review |archive-date=4 November 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Hurley |first=Sam |title=Kim Dotcom's US extradition case stalls, Supreme Court calls for further arguments over copyright allegations |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kim-dotcoms-us-extradition-case-stalls-supreme-court-calls-for-further-arguments-over-copyright-allegations/EBZGWLCUKAL5XR5VCB2CN5MIQY/ |access-date=7 November 2020 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106175651/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kim-dotcoms-us-extradition-case-stalls-supreme-court-calls-for-further-arguments-over-copyright-allegations/EBZGWLCUKAL5XR5VCB2CN5MIQY/ |archive-date=6 November 2020|url-status=live}}

The two executives charged for operating Megaupload along with Dotcom, namely Mathias Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk, agreed to a plea bargain with New Zealand and US prosecutors that June,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-the-front-page-30038501/episode/10-years-on-how-is-the-96768724/?keyid%5B0%5D=The%20Front%20Page&keyid%5B1%5D=10%20years%20on%2C%20how%20is%20the%20Kim%20Dotcom%20case%20still%20in%20the%20news%3F&sc=podcast_widget |title=Ten years on, how is the Kim Dotcom case still in the news? |date=2022-05-11 |type=Podcast |language=en-NZ |publisher=New Zealand Herald |series=The Front Page |via=iHeartRadio |people=Damien Venuto, David Fisher, Shaun D. Wilson, and Ethan Sills}}{{Cite web |last=Kapitan |first=Craig |date=2022-06-21 |title=Two Megaupload co-defendants end decade-long legal fight, admit guilt |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/megaupload-saga-coders-bram-van-der-kolk-mathias-ortmann-plead-guilty/AYX6X6PPT6WRIHUMU3CJPEF4FA/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=NZME Publishing Limited |language=en-NZ}} and were sentenced to two years seven months and two years six months in a New Zealand prison respectively on 15 June 2023,{{Cite web |date=2023-06-15 |title=2 men who helped run popular pirating website Megaupload sentenced to prison in New Zealand |url=https://apnews.com/article/new-zealand-megaupload-pirating-website-sentence-a858f2a77b4eebf912711e818d6400f5 |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=AP News |language=en}} leaving Dotcom as the only party still defending his innocence in the case.

On 15 August 2024, the new Minister of Justice, Paul Goldsmith signed Dotcom's extradition order. Barrister Clive Elliott KC commented that Dotcom cannot appeal the decision, but can seek judicial review of the process.{{cite news |last=Maher |first=Rachel |title=Kim Dotcom to fight extradition, legal expert weighs in on latest legal stoush |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/kim-dotcom-to-fight-extradition-kc-barrister-weighs-in-on-latest-legal-stoush/2JKT3XNU3VFOPHHRORZAA4EVJM/ |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=16 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816005518/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/kim-dotcom-to-fight-extradition-kc-barrister-weighs-in-on-latest-legal-stoush/2JKT3XNU3VFOPHHRORZAA4EVJM/ |archive-date=16 August 2024|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Murder of Seth Rich}}

In late May 2017, Dotcom posted statements on Twitter and his website claiming he worked with Seth Rich on the Internet Party and had proof that Rich was the source of the 2016 Democratic National Committee email leak. In tweets, Dotcom claimed to be involved with Seth Rich as WikiLeaks source.{{Cite web |title=A 27-year-old DNC staffer was shot and killed in DC — and his mysterious death led to a lawsuit against Fox News |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/27-old-dnc-staffer-shot-163707237.html |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=finance.yahoo.com |date=2 August 2017 |language=en-US |archive-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115153855/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/27-old-dnc-staffer-shot-163707237.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Turton |first=William |title=Sean Hannity and Kim Dotcom arrive from a parallel universe to save Trump |url=https://theoutline.com/post/1559/sean-hannity-fox-news-kim-dotcom-arrive-from-a-parallel-universe-to-save-trump-with-seth-rich-murder |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=The Outline |language=en |archive-date=5 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205183325/https://theoutline.com/post/1559/sean-hannity-fox-news-kim-dotcom-arrive-from-a-parallel-universe-to-save-trump-with-seth-rich-murder |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Adi |date=27 May 2017 |title=Breaking down Kim Dotcom's bizarre, conspiracy-theory filled week |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/27/15697786/kim-dotcom-seth-rich-conspiracy-theory-breakdown |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=8 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108021837/https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/27/15697786/kim-dotcom-seth-rich-conspiracy-theory-breakdown |url-status=live }} Dotcom said he was willing to provide written testimony to the US Congress and that he was willing to provide evidence to US special counsel Robert Mueller if his safe passage from New Zealand to the United States was guaranteed.{{Cite web |last=Gilmour |first=David |date=22 May 2017 |title=How the Seth Rich murder conspiracy theory went mainstream |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/kim-dotcom-seth-rich-murder-wikileaks/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US |archive-date=5 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205215844/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/kim-dotcom-seth-rich-murder-wikileaks/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=30 May 2017 |title=Kim Dotcom Approaches Special Counsel {{!}} Scoop News |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1705/S00469/kim-dotcom-approaches-special-counsel.htm |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=scoop.co.nz |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031194936/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1705/S00469/kim-dotcom-approaches-special-counsel.htm |url-status=live }} Seth Rich's family issued a statement calling Dotcom's statements "ridiculous, manipulative, and non-credible" and their spokesman Brad Bauman tweeted to Dotcom that "you have an agenda or are a sociopath".

Dotcom tweeted an alleged FBI file about Seth Rich, warning that it might be fake. He later agreed it was fake, but said there was no need to delete the tweet since he had issued a warning soon after posting it that the file could be fake.{{Cite web |date=30 May 2017 |title=Kim Dotcom Says FBI File About Seth Rich Is Fake, But He Won't Delete It From Twitter |url=https://gizmodo.com/kim-dotcom-says-fbi-file-about-seth-rich-is-fake-but-h-1795646891 |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=2 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102174332/http://gizmodo.com/kim-dotcom-says-fbi-file-about-seth-rich-is-fake-but-h-1795646891 |url-status=live }}

Seth Rich's Gmail account received an emailed invitation from Mega, a file sharing service started by Dotcom following the seizure of Megaupload, but for which he had not worked for years. According to experts and Rich's family, the emailed invitation from welcome@mega.nz appeared to be an attempt to access Rich's email. David Weigel of The Washington Post wrote that Rich's family "worried that Dotcom, or someone eager to prove him right, may have been willing to create a fake archive of emails from Rich, or crack a password to see whether Rich had passed on documents with a Mega account".{{Cite news |last=Weigel |first=David |date=24 May 2017 |title=The life and death of the Seth Rich conspiracy theory |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/the-life-and-death-of-the-seth-rich-conspiracy-theory/2017/05/23/aba640c4-3ff3-11e7-adba-394ee67a7582_story.html |access-date=15 January 2023 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=24 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524181556/https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/the-life-and-death-of-the-seth-rich-conspiracy-theory/2017/05/23/aba640c4-3ff3-11e7-adba-394ee67a7582_story.html |url-status=live }}

During the Russo-Ukrainian War, Dotcom has repeatedly spread anti-Ukrainian falsehoods, and Russian government propaganda.[https://www.polygraph.info/a/fact-check-pro-russian-falsehoods-kim-dotcom/6743375.html Pro-Russian Falsehoods From Kim Dotcom, Alleged Racketeer]{{cite web |title=І це ще не все. Відомий кіберзлочинець заявив про перемогу Росії та спрогнозував Третю світову війну |url=https://techno.nv.ua/ukr/it-industry/kiberzlochinec-kim-dotkom-vvazhaye-shcho-rosiya-peremagaye-ta-gotuyetsya-do-tretoji-svitovoji-viyni-50301306.html}} Critics accuse him of spreading Russian Federation propaganda such as: claims of Nazism in Ukraine, Ukrainian attacks on Russian-speaking minority, claims of American "biolaboratories" in Ukraine,[https://www.newsweek.com/kim-dotcom-ukraine-army-swastika-photo-1750457 Fact Check: Kim Dotcom's Claim Ukraine Defense Chief Wore Swastika Bracelet][https://techno.nv.ua/ukr/it-industry/kiberzlochinec-kim-dotkom-vvazhaye-shcho-rosiya-peremagaye-ta-gotuyetsya-do-tretoji-svitovoji-viyni-50301306.html І це ще не все. Відомий кіберзлочинець заявив про перемогу Росії та спрогнозував Третю світову війну] and accusing the US of causing the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-19 |title=Pro-Russian Falsehoods From Kim Dotcom, Alleged Racketeer |url=https://www.polygraph.info/a/fact-check-pro-russian-falsehoods-kim-dotcom/6743375.html |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=POLYGRAPH.info |language=en}}

In January 2015, Dotcom criticised Hollywood for what he considered its role in his prosecution by the US government. He tweeted, "What the US Govt is doing reminds me of what I learned in school about Nazi Germany. Ironic, Hollywood is run by mostly Jewish entrepreneurs".{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=David |title=Dotcom upsets Jewish community |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kim-dotcom-tweets-upset-jewish-community/Y523Z4Z2EFOFRJT5VBDY56C74A/ |access-date=22 August 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=6 January 2015 |language=en-NZ}} New Zealand Jewish Council president Stephen Goodman stated that this was an offensive and inaccurate antisemitic trope.

In an August 2024 Twitter post, Dotcom quoted passages from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a discredited antisemitic text purporting to prove the existence of a Jewish conspiracy for world domination.{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=David |date=2024-11-16 |title='Enough of the corruption': Kim Dotcom teases a return to politics |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/kim-dotcom-teases-a-return-to-politics-promising-to-bring-direct-democracy/KRAX2H5P2NGSVJYANTBTZCVGPY/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}

Following the September 11 attacks in the United States, Dotcom launched a group called Young Intelligent Hackers Against Terrorism (YIHAT).{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/oct/29/mondaymediasection.afghanistan1|title=Can he save the world?|author=Angus Batey|date=29 October 2001|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=21 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521184943/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/oct/29/mondaymediasection.afghanistan1|url-status=live}} He said that he had hacked Sudanese bank accounts belonging to Osama bin Laden and offered a $10 million reward for information leading to bin Laden's capture on his now-defunct kimble.org site.

Dotcom participated in a mock funeral procession for public broadcaster TVNZ 7 in downtown Auckland on the day of its final broadcast. He had warmed to one of its more notable shows, Media7, for its championing of internet freedom and had been interviewed on the show at least once.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/7199883/Kim-Dotcom-joins-TVNZ7-funeral|author=Marika Hill|title=Kim Dotcom joins TVNZ7 funeral|date=30 June 2012|publisher=Fairfax NZ News|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=8 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408214450/http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/7199883/Kim-Dotcom-joins-TVNZ7-funeral|url-status=live}}

In June 2012, Dotcom announced the upcoming launch of Megabox, a music streaming service.{{cite web| url=http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-news/industry/2012/06/25/megaupload-founder-to-launch-streaming-service/| title=Megaupload founder to launch streaming serviceMegabox to launch on raid anniversary| access-date=15 January 2023| archive-date=4 October 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004231323/http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-news/industry/2012/06/25/megaupload-founder-to-launch-streaming-service| url-status=live}} That October, he said that Megabox would launch on 19 January 2013, the first anniversary of Megaupload's shutdown.{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Dotcom-to-launch-Megabox-on-raid-anniversary/tabid/412/articleID/274463/Default.aspx|title=Megabox to launch on raid anniversary|date=29 October 2012|publisher=3 News|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=30 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030102731/http://www.3news.co.nz/Dotcom-to-launch-Megabox-on-raid-anniversary/tabid/412/articleID/274463/Default.aspx|url-status=live}}

In August 2012, Dotcom teased an upcoming album with the release of a song titled "Party Amplifier".{{cite tweet |last=Dotcom |first=Kim |author-link=Kim Dotcom |user=KimDotcom |number=239200605976031232 |date=25 August 2012 |title=Kim Dotcom - Party Amplifier ... The first song from my upcoming Album. Let me know what you think. http://t.co/3r57AHcj |language=en |access-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422175251/https://twitter.com/KimDotcom/status/239200605976031232 |archive-date=22 April 2023 |url-status=live}} Dotcom was already in the process of recording the album with friend and producer, Printz Board (who wrote "Yes We Can" for Barack Obama's 2008 election campaign), when he was arrested. Printz and Dotcom recorded more than 20 songs at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios in Newton, Auckland—one of which is called "Mr President"—an electronica protest song against Barack Obama.[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10821092 Dotcom's pop protest gets its first airing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922213745/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10821092 |date=22 September 2020 }}, The New Zealand Herald, 21 July 2012

On 2 November, Dotcom announced a new file storage service, similar to Megaupload, using the domain name me.ga. It was to be launched 19 January 2013, but the African state of Gabon, which controls the .ga domain, cancelled the me.ga name on 6 November 2012. The site has since registered the names mega.co.nz and mega.net.nz. The new file hosting service offers file encryption to enhance user privacy and security.{{cite web|url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2223907/kim-dotcom-s-mega-gets-another-domain-name |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115074059/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2223907/kim-dotcom-s-mega-gets-another-domain-name |url-status=unfit |archive-date=15 November 2012 |title=Kim Dotcom's Mega gets another domain name |work=The Inquirer |date=12 November 2012 |access-date=5 December 2013}} As a result of this encryption, Dotcom and mega.co.nz will be unable to determine the content of the uploaded data, allowing for a claim of plausible deniability to be made should new charges arise. In January 2013, Dotcom offered a $13,500 reward to anyone able to defeat the site's security system.{{cite web |last=Russell |first=Jon |url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/02/01/kim-dotcom-puts-up-13500-bounty-for-first-person-to-break-megas-security-system/ |title=Kim Dotcom Offers $13,500 Mega Security Hack Bounty |publisher=The Next Web |date=1 February 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013 |archive-date=5 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205215842/http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/02/01/kim-dotcom-puts-up-13500-bounty-for-first-person-to-break-megas-security-system/ |url-status=live }}

On 4 September 2013, Dotcom stepped down as director of Mega{{cite web|url=http://ceoworld.biz/ceo/2013/09/04/kim-dotcom-has-stepped-down-as-director-of-mega-file-storage-startup|title=Kim Dotcom Has Stepped Down As Director Of Mega File-Storage Startup|author=CEOWORLD magazine|date=4 September 2013|access-date=4 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911164825/http://ceoworld.biz/ceo/2013/09/04/kim-dotcom-has-stepped-down-as-director-of-mega-file-storage-startup|archive-date=11 September 2013}} and announced he was working on a music streaming service called Baboom.{{cite web |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Kim-Dotcom-reveals-music-service-Baboom/tabid/412/articleID/312467/Default.aspx |title=Kim Dotcom reveals music service 'Baboom', 3 News NZ |publisher=3news.co.nz |access-date=5 December 2013 |archive-date=24 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424084857/http://www.3news.co.nz/Kim-Dotcom-reveals-music-service-Baboom/tabid/412/articleID/312467/Default.aspx |url-status=live }} Dotcom says it will be more advanced than Megabox.{{cite web |url=http://torrentfreak.com/kim-dotcom-teases-new-music-service-baboom-130907 |title=Torrentfreak, Kim Dotcom Teases New Music Service... Baboom |publisher=TorrentFreak |date=7 September 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013 |archive-date=11 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211190352/http://torrentfreak.com/kim-dotcom-teases-new-music-service-baboom-130907/ |url-status=live }}{{better source needed|date=May 2020}}

On 25 December 2014, Dotcom helped stop{{Cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/post-arcade/how-mega-founder-kim-dotcom-helped-stop-holiday-xbox-live-and-psn-ddos-attacks-by-appeasing-lizard-squad?__lsa=058b-167a|title=How Mega founder Kim Dotcom helped Xbox Live, PSN recover from Lizard Squad's attack|newspaper=Financial Post|access-date=10 January 2017|archive-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113033408/http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/post-arcade/how-mega-founder-kim-dotcom-helped-stop-holiday-xbox-live-and-psn-ddos-attacks-by-appeasing-lizard-squad?__lsa=058b-167a|url-status=live}} the Christmas DDoS attacks on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network by giving Lizard Squad 3,000 $99 one-year Mega accounts which would then be converted to lifetime accounts worth approximately $300,000.

In 2017, the biographical documentary Kim Dotcom: Caught in the Web, directed by Annie Goldson, premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nziff.co.nz/2017/auckland/kim-dotcom-caught-in-the-web/|title=Kim Dotcom: Caught in the Web|via=nziff.co.nz|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=17 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017011031/https://www.nziff.co.nz/2017/auckland/kim-dotcom-caught-in-the-web/|url-status=live}}

In November 2019, Dotcom planned to launch his own cryptocurrency,{{cite news |url=https://siliconangle.com/2019/10/28/k-im-digital-publishing-platform-kim-dotcom-will-see-creators-get-paid-cryptocurrency/ |title=K.im, the digital publishing platform from Kim Dotcom, aims to pay creators in cryptocurrency |work=Silicon Angle |date=29 October 2019 |accessdate=30 March 2021 |archive-date=20 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720183959/https://siliconangle.com/2019/10/28/k-im-digital-publishing-platform-kim-dotcom-will-see-creators-get-paid-cryptocurrency/ |url-status=live }} but due to regulatory uncertainty, the offer was cancelled.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-06/kim-dotcom-s-namesake-cryptocurrency-sale-canceled-by-exchange |title=Kim Dotcom's Cryptocurrency Sale Canceled by Exchange |work=Bloomberg News |date=6 November 2019 |accessdate=30 March 2021 |archive-date=19 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119234032/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-06/kim-dotcom-s-namesake-cryptocurrency-sale-canceled-by-exchange |url-status=live }}

• "Megaupload" (2011){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-diddy-william-more-participate-in-video-endorsing-megaupload-1158231/|title=Kanye West, Diddy, Will.I.Am, More Participate in Video Endorsing MegaUpload Storage Site|magazine=Billboard|date=9 December 2011|access-date=4 September 2024}}
• "Mr President" (2012){{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/mr-president-single/548359752 |title=Mr. President – Single |date=24 July 2012 |publisher=iTunes Store (Apple Inc) |access-date=24 January 2014 |archive-date=5 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605181809/https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/mr.-president-single/id548359752 |url-status=live }}
• "Precious" (2012){{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/precious-single/552053827 |title=Precious – Single |date=8 August 2012 |publisher=iTunes Store (Apple Inc) |access-date=24 January 2014 |archive-date=5 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605181807/https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/precious-single/id552053827 |url-status=live }}
• "Good Life" (2016){{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Kim Schmitz}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dotcom, Kim}}

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