Megaupload was a popular file sharing site with over 1 billion users that allowed sharing of music, videos, and movies. In 2012, the FBI shut it down for racketeering and copyright infringement and arrested founder Kim Dotcom at his New Zealand mansion, seizing $17 million in assets. The hacker group Anonymous protested the shutdown as a violation of free speech. The arrest and charges against Dotcom and other executives were controversial.

1. By : Chris Richards, Rad Rankovic ,Tyler Sousa,

2. About Mega upload
•provided a fast and easy way for its millions of users to file
share music, videos, and movies.
•Noted for four percent of the internet ( one billion users)
•Was Ranked 13 most visited site in the world
•Company had over 150 employees located in Hong Kong ( main
head quarters)

3. Convictions of Megaupload
•Engaged in racketeering
•conspiring to commit copyright infringement
•conspiring to commit money laundering
•many counts of copyright infringement
•Execs face 20 yrs. for money laundering
•+ 5 yrs. per substantial copyright infringement

4. Owner: Kim Schmitz
• Born jan,21 1974
•Computer programmer and business man, rose to fame and fortune during the dot com
bubble.
•In 2005 founded megaupload
•Changed his last name to Dotcom 2010

6. Arrest of Schmitz
•arrested on his birthday at his home in New Zealand
•retreated to his safe room
•Police seized 18 luxury cars @ $6m
•+ $11m Cash

7. Anger of individuals

8. Anonymous
•Group of Hackers who act for the free rights of American
citizens
• Have hacked multiple companies for the sake of
individuals
•Were outraged to the shutdown of Megaupload and acted
accordingly
•Believe the FBI violated the free speech of American
citizens
http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=CARKXS15juM)

9. Controversy of Swiss Beatz
•Prior to shutdown ,Beatz was preparing to become the companies CEO
•Was listed as CEO on Megaupload’s website but was not confirmed in documentation
•After the shutdown Beatz was not charged and tweeted shortly after “ Blessings”
• P ditty tweeted shortly afterwards “ Call me anytime and I will do anything for you!!!! I
love You!

11. Additional Links
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16787486
 http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/justice-department-charges-
leaders-of-megaupload-with-widespread-online-copyright-infringement
 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2012/01/file-sharing-
megaupload-shut-down-for-piracy-by-feds.html
 http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/node/6795
 http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/megauploads-wealthy-
anonymous-executives-in-spotlight/2012/01/20/gIQAFV4pDQ_blog.html
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0Wvn-9BXVc

12. Group Information
 Tyler Sousa:
 Twitter-@tyler_sousa
 Rad Rankovic:
 Twitter-@rnkr0032
 Chris Richards:
 Twitter-@chrisrichards35
 Pinterest: pintertest.com/chrisrichhh/