Extradition delay for online piracy accused Kim Dotcom

Published on 11/07/2012 00:00

A NEW Zealand court has delayed an extradition hearing for internet tycoon and Megaup-load founder Kim Dotcom until March 2013 because of questions about the search and seizure of evidence by the United States, where he faces charges of internet piracy and fraud.

One of Dotcom’s lawyers yesterday said a hearing scheduled for August has now been postponed to a tentative date of 25 March because two judicial reviews regarding illegal search warrants and evidence disclosure are still under way.

The FBI alleges that Dotcom, also known as Kim Schmitz, led a group that has netted $175 million (£113m) since 2005 by copying and distributing music, films and other copyrighted content without authorisation. Dotcom’s lawyers say the company simply offered online storage.