15 Feb 2012

Megaupload accused insists company acted legally

9:36 pm on 15 February 2012

Megaupload cofounder Mathias Ortmann and three others, including his fellow founder, Kim Dotcom, are facing multiple charges over the file sharing website.

Mr Ortmann was allowed bail in Auckland on Wednesday; he must comply with 17 bail conditions, including a ban on using the internet.

Speaking outside the Manukau District Court, he says the group is preparing to fight the charges and poses no threat on bail.

Mathias Ortmann has been bailed to the same address as two of this co-accused, in the suburb of Orakei.

Kim Dotcom remains in custody, pending an extradition hearing sought by United States authorities.

They were arrested on 20 January at the request of the FBI.

Megaupload was indicted in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, USA, on 19 January and the site was then shut down.