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Court Rules Megaupload Founder Guilty, Could Face 10 Years

New Zealand citizen Kim Dotcom convicted of racketeering, money laundering

AUCKLAND, New Zealand–A New Zealand court has found Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom guilty of racketeering and money laundering charges. The verdict, handed down on Thursday after a nine-week trial, could see Dotcom facing up to 10 years in prison.

Dotcom, a German citizen who was living in New Zealand, was arrested in 2012 in a raid that was part of a massive international crackdown on online piracy. Megaupload, which was founded in 2005, was a popular file-sharing website that was accused of facilitating the illegal distribution of copyrighted content.

The jury found Dotcom guilty of all 12 charges against him, including racketeering, conspiracy to commit copyright infringement, and money laundering. Dotcom has denied the charges, saying that he did not know that Megaupload was being used for illegal purposes.

The verdict is a major victory for the entertainment industry, which has long been fighting against online piracy. It is also a blow to Dotcom, who has been a vocal critic of the entertainment industry and its copyright laws.

Dotcom's sentencing is scheduled for March 24. He could face up to 10 years in prison.

The verdict is a reminder of the ongoing battle between the entertainment industry and online piracy. It is also a reminder of the importance of respecting copyright laws.