Kim Dotcom lost his latest appeal on Wednesday to prevent extradition to the United States, where he faces criminal charges connected to the defunct file-sharing website Megaupload that he founded. The German-born entrepreneur, who holds New Zealand residency, has been contesting efforts to send him to the U.S. since 2012, after an FBI-ordered raid on his Auckland mansion.
The current legal contest centered on a 2024 decision in New Zealand that ordered his extradition. Dotcom, who was 50 in 2024, mounted an appeal against that ruling but the Court of Appeal issued a judgment on Wednesday finding no legal grounds to bar his extradition to the United States.
The appellate judgment, provided in a copy of the decision, concluded that the arguments presented did not establish a legal basis for preventing the transfer. With this ruling, Dotcom retains one remaining avenue of judicial recourse - an appeal to New Zealand’s highest court, the Supreme Court - should he pursue it.
At present Dotcom is on bail. Representatives did not provide an immediate comment; he did not respond right away to a request for comment delivered via his lawyer on Wednesday.
U.S. authorities allege that Dotcom and three other executives associated with Megaupload inflicted losses on film studios and record companies exceeding $500 million by encouraging paying users to store and share copyrighted material. Prosecutors also say Megaupload generated more than $175 million in revenue.
Legal status and next steps
- The Court of Appeal found no legal basis to block extradition.
- Dotcom may seek one final appeal to the Supreme Court of New Zealand.
- He remains on bail pending any further judicial action.
Case context
The proceedings stem from actions dating back to a 2012 law enforcement operation that followed an FBI-directed raid on his residence in Auckland. Central allegations by U.S. authorities focus on substantial alleged losses to entertainment industry rights holders and significant revenue earned by the Megaupload site.
The outcome of any future Supreme Court consideration would determine whether the extradition order stands or is overturned, but as of the Court of Appeal ruling there was no legal barrier identified to sending him to the United States to face the charges laid out by U.S. prosecutors.