The Kim Dotciom affair and NZ parliament

No doubt this is just the beginning. 

House uproar as Key clarifies Dotcom record

Winston Peters ejected from Parliament

Stuff,

16 October, 2012

Prime Minister John Key has clarified in Parliament when he first learned about the Government Communications Security Bureau's role in the operation to snare Kim Dotcom.

Key was left red faced two weeks ago when it emerged he was told in a February briefing at GCSB HQ. He had previously told Parliament he first knew on September 17, when director Ian Fletcher told him the Bureau had been illegally spying on the internet mogul.

A subsequent review of files revealed an earlier power point briefing in which a brief mention of Dotcom was made. Key said he couldn't recall it, but accepted it happened.

This afternoon's Question Time is the first opportunity he has had to correct the record. He said this morning it was not an apology.

He told MPs his answers were based on his recollection and there was no attempt to mislead the House.

NZ First leader Winston Peters tried to get in first by raising a point of order.

After an argument, Speaker Lockwood Smith ordered Peters from the House.

Labour MPs David Parker and Trevor Mallard also left the House after their attempts were also rebuffed.

He and Labour leader David Shearer are at odds over the existence of a recording of the February 29 briefing. Shearer says Key may have been caught on camera making a joke about Dotcom - which show he did know about GCSB and Operation Debut. But Key says he doesn't remember it - and Shearer should produce the tape.

Meanwhile Key confirmed this morning he is tightening procedures in his dealing with GCSB by making one staffer responsible for his liaisons with the foreign spy agency.

Smith refused to allow Peters to return to ask his question, despite an appeal by Labour MP Chris Hipkins. 

 

"Members should think about that before they take on the Speaker," Dr Smith said.

Mallard - who left voluntarily - returned to the House.

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Ha!ha! Go Kim Dotcom!

Dotcom speaks of Megaupload relaunch

In a move bound to provoke US prosecutors and entertainment executives, indicted Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom is planning to launch a replacement of his shuttered website and a new online music service by year's end.

Stuff,

12 October, 2012

The file-sharing site that Dotcom started in 2005 was one of the most popular online sites before US prosecutors shut it down and filed racketeering charges against Dotcom and six other Megaupload principals in January.

US authorities are now trying to extradite Dotcom from New Zealand, where he's a resident, claiming he facilitated massive copyright piracy through his site. Prosecutors say Dotcom pocketed tens of millions of dollars while movie makers and songwriters lost some US$500 million in copyright revenue.

Dotcom says he can't be held responsible for users who acted illegally and that Megaupload complied with copyrights by removing links to pirated material when asked. Some legal experts say proving Dotcom's conduct amounted to criminal conspiracy will be difficult, and he has gained some high-profile support, including from Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

The flamboyant Dotcom confirmed in a brief telephone interview this week that he's almost completed work on "new Mega" and "Megabox" but said he doesn't want to divulge details ahead of a major press launch. However, statements he's made on Twitter and a promotional video paint a picture of what he's planning.

In recent tweets, Dotcom says his new version of Megaupload is nearly complete. "Quick update on the new Mega: Code 90% done. Servers on the way. Lawyers, Partners & Investors ready. Be patient. It's coming," he wrote. He said the new version will feature a one-click encryption option for data transfers and that the service would be hosted on servers outside the US.

Asked by one Twitter user if he was nervous that "what happened to Megaupload could happen to New Mega?" Dotcom replied: "That will be IMPOSSIBLE. Trust me!"

Dotcom says his planned music service Megabox will enable users to download music for free in exchange for accepting some advertisements. He says 90 percent of the revenue will go to the artists and that the service will be a legitimate way of "unchaining artists and fans" to do business with each other with a minimal need for middlemen.