Kim Dotcom Faces Extradition After 12-Year Legal Battle

Kim Dotcom, founder of Megaupload, lost his 12-year legal battle to prevent extradition from New Zealand to the U.S. on charges including copyright infringement and racketeering. New Zealand's Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced the decision, while Dotcom plans a judicial review. His business partners have faced varied outcomes.

Kim Dotcom, the founder of the once immensely popular file-sharing website Megaupload, lost a 12-year legal struggle this week to avoid deportation from New Zealand to the U.S. on charges of copyright infringement, money laundering, and racketeering.

New Zealand's Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced Friday that Dotcom should be surrendered to U.S. authorities to stand trial, bringing a temporary close to a prolonged legal saga. While a date for extradition has not been set, Goldsmith indicated that Dotcom would have “a short period of time to consider and take advice” on the ruling.

Dotcom, who posted on X, “Don't worry, I have a plan,” did not elaborate, but his legal team is preparing a bid for a judicial review of Goldsmith's decision. This longstanding case dates back to Dotcom's 2012 arrest during a dramatic raid on his Auckland mansion and involves allegations that Megaupload earned $175 million from users illegally downloading content.