Dotcom case watched closely in US - Curran

Relevant offers

Digital Living

App helps travellers spend a penny Some US utilities under constant cyber attack Yahoo: media or tech company? Chinese hackers got data from Google When sexting is not pornography Teen develops algorithm to diagnose leukaemia Facebook sued over Eminem song Poll: Teens migrating to Twitter Software firm seeks tech-staff with autism Historic Kiwi photographs to be digitised

Labour communications spokeswoman Clare Curran says New Zealand's "bungled" handling of the Megaupload case is being watched closely by United States law enforcement agencies.

Curran has returned from a three week trip to the US which was funded by the US State Department to provide "the American perspective" on intellectual property matters.

"The Megaupload case is high on the agenda of all enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security, the FBI and the Department of Justice along with intellectual property content owners, such as the Motion Picture Association," she said.

"It was made clear to me that the 'New Zealand Government's co-operation' is essential for the successful extradition of New Zealand resident Kim Dotcom and his co-accused in Megaupload. This case is seen as an important test for the US enforcement agencies."

Curran said she thought it "unthinkable" ministers including Prime Minister John Key would not have discussed the case and the extradition issues before the raid on Dotcom's house on January 20. Key has maintained he only became aware of Dotcom the day before the raid.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Comments