Megaupload's Dotcom gains access to NZ spy records
The High Court also ruled the flamboyant tycoon and three Megaupload operators can seek damages from the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) related to its part in the January raid, when New Zealand police helicopters swooped into Dotcom's mansion compound at the request of U.S. Authorities.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) accuses Dotcom, who founded the file- sharing site which housed everything from family photos to blockbuster films, of leading a group that netted $175 million since 2005 by copying and distributing copyrighted content without authorisation.
Dotcom maintains that Megaupload, one of the world's most popular websites before it was shut down in January, simply provided online storage services, and should not be held responsible for stored content.
William Akel, one of Dotcom's lawyers, said that the court decision had been expected, given the GCSB had already admitted in September its surveillance on Dotcom was illegal.
"We can now determine the extent of the GCSB's involvement, and we'll be able to claim for damages," he said.
The court ruled that Dotcom's lawyers can access information about the New Zealand police's request to the GCSB for information, documents the agency holds about his residency status, and which other agencies, including U.S. Federal authorities, it shared its
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