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Revision 838201141 of "Kim Dotcom" on enwiki{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kim Dotcom
| image = Kimdotcom-2014.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Kim Dotcom in 2014.
| birth_name = Kim Schmitz
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1974|1|21}}
| birth_place = [[Kiel]], [[West Germany]]
| residence = [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]], New Zealand
| nationality = Finnish and German<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Arrested+Megaupload+millionaire+Kim+Dotcom+has+Finnish+passport/1135270248107 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126140239/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Arrested%2BMegaupload%2Bmillionaire%2BKim%2BDotcom%2Bhas%2BFinnish%2Bpassport/1135270248107 |archivedate=26 January 2012 |title=Arrested Megaupload millionaire Kim Dotcom has Finnish passport |publisher=Helsingin Sanomat |deadurl=yes}}</ref>
| other_names = Kimble, Kim Tim Jim Vestor
| education = [[Hauptschule]]
| occupation = Entrepreneur
| years_active = 2005–present
| employer =
| organization =
| known_for = Founder of [[Megaupload]] and [[Mega (service)|Mega]]
| notable_works =
| home_town =
| salary =
| net_worth =
| party = [[Internet Party (New Zealand)|Internet Party]] (2014–)
| spouse = Mona Verga (2009–2014),<br/>Elizabeth Donnelly (2018 - )<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wynn|first1=Kirsty|title=Kim Dotcom weds Elizabeth Donnelly in private ceremony|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11978891|accessdate=22 January 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]}}</ref>
| children = 5<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10780321 Dotcom birthday party targeted] ''The New Zealand Herald'', 22 January 2012</ref><ref name=twins_dad /><ref>{{cite news |title=Megaupload's Kim Dotcom Fathers Healthy Twin Girls |url=http://wordswithmeaning.org/2012/03/megauploads-kim-dotcom-fathers-healthy-twin-girls/ |accessdate=26 March 2012 |date=25 March 2012}}</ref>
| website = [http://www.kim.com/ www.kim.com]
}}
'''Kim Dotcom''' (born '''Kim Schmitz''',<ref name="name">{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/technology/the-avish-life-of-file-sharing-kingpin-kim-dotcom/story-e6frfrnr-1226250461590 |title=The lavish life of file-sharing kingpin Kim Dotcom|work=news.com.au |date=22 January 2012 |accessdate=23 January 2012}}</ref> 21 January 1974), also known as '''Kimble'''<ref name="Kimble">{{cite journal |last=Schmidt |first=Karsten |date=23 January 2002 |title=Kimble bleibt stumm |trans-title=Kimble remains silent |language=de |journal=Manager Magazin |url=http://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/karriere/0,2828,178712,00.html |accessdate=27 February 2012}}</ref> and '''Kim Tim Jim Vestor''',<ref name="WTKTJV">{{cite news |title=US Internet piracy case brings New Zealand arrests |first1=Matthew |last1=Barakat |first2=Nick |last2=Perry |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/20/us-internet-piracy-case-brings-new-zealand-arrests/?page=all#pagebreak |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[The Washington Times]] |date=20 January 2012 |accessdate=27 February 2012}}</ref> is a [[Germany|German]]-[[Finland|Finnish]] Internet [[entrepreneur]] and political activist who resides in [[Queenstown]], New Zealand.<ref name="passport">{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/21/world/asia/new-zealand-dotcom-megaupload/index.html |title=Megaupload founder Dotcom likely to get bail|publisher=CNN |date=22 February 2012 |accessdate=27 February 2012}}</ref> He first rose to fame in Germany in the 1990s as an Internet entrepreneur.
Dotcom is the founder of now-defunct [[file hosting service]] [[Megaupload]] (2005–2012).<ref name="investigate">{{cite web |url=http://www.florianpoullin.fr/sites/florianpoullin.fr/files/investigate.pdf |title=Merry Chrischmitz or Merry Hell? |last1=Wishart |first1=Ian |date=April 2010 |work=[[Investigate (magazine)|Investigate]] |accessdate=31 December 2011}} p29.</ref><ref name="news.cnet.com">{{cite web|last=Sandoval |first=Greg |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20087753-261/the-mystery-man-behind-megaupload-piracy-fight/ |title=The mystery man behind Megaupload piracy fight |publisher=CNET News |date=4 August 2011 |accessdate=19 January 2012}}</ref> Earlier, he achieved notoriety in Germany as a teen hacker who received a two-year suspended sentence for selling identities that he had siphoned from telephone operators' client database. Since the closure of Megaupload, he has been accused of criminal [[copyright infringement]] and other charges, such as [[money laundering]], [[racketeering]] and [[wire fraud]], by the [[U.S. Department of Justice]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/01/why-kim-dotcom-hasnt-been-extradited-3-years-after-the-us-smashed-megaupload|title=Why Kim Dotcom hasn’t been extradited 3 years after the US smashed Megaupload|last=Farivar|first=Cyrus|date=18 January 2015|website=[[Ars Technica]]|access-date=26 May 2017}}</ref> On 20 February 2017, a New Zealand court ruled that Dotcom, as well as co-accused Mathias Ortmann, Bram van der Kolk and Carter Edwards, could be extradited to the US on fraud charges related to Megaupload. Dotcom denies any wrongdoing and has accused US authorities of pursuing a vendetta against him on behalf of politically influential Hollywood studios.<ref name="Eleanor Ainge Roy">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/20/kim-dotcom-eligible-for-extradition-to-us-new-zealand-high-court-rules |title=Kim Dotcom extradition to US can go ahead, New Zealand high court rules |newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 February 2017|author= Eleanor Ainge Roy |accessdate= 23 April 2017}}</ref> His lawyer said that he would appeal the decision.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11804210 Kim Dotcom legal saga: Extradition to US over Megaupload still on cards but he claims court ruling is a 'major victory], NZ Herald, 20 February 2017</ref>
In 2013, Dotcom launched another [[cloud storage]] service called [[Mega (service)|Mega]], although he later severed all ties with the service in 2015. Mega uses encryption to prevent government or third-party "spies" from invading users' privacy. He also started and funded the [[Internet Party (New Zealand)|Internet Party]].<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9873341/Launch-day-for-Kim-Dotcoms-Internet-Party Launch day for Kim Dotcom's Internet Party], Stuff 27 March 2014</ref> They contested the [[New Zealand general election, 2014|2014 New Zealand elections]] under an electoral alliance with the [[Mana Movement]], but failed to win any seats.
{{TOC limit|3}}
==Personal life==
[[File:Kim Schmitz cropped and edited.jpg|thumb|Kim Schmitz in 1996]]
Dotcom was born Kim Schmitz in [[Kiel]], West Germany.<ref>"Der Unfassbare", ''Berliner Morgenpost'', 12 February 2001 {{de icon}}</ref> His mother was Finnish<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11181461 |title=Dotcom's mother raided by police |date=Jan 4, 2014 |website=NZ Herald News |access-date=2016-05-01 |quote="Dotcom's mother is Anneli Miettinen, who is Finnish "}}</ref> so he holds a Finnish passport, and he has siblings in Finland. His father was German.
He has been called one of the world's "largest tech entrepreneurs".<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10626044 Multi-millionaire hacker buys Chrisco mansion], ''The New Zealand Herald'', 14 February 2010</ref><ref name="wired.com">[https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/kim-dotcom/ The Fast, Fabulous, Allegedly Fraudulent Life of Megaupload’s Kim Dotcom], 26 January 2012</ref> He changed his surname to Dotcom in 2005,<ref>{{cite news|last=Gallagher |first=Sean|title=The Fast, Fabulous, Allegedly Fraudulent Life of Megaupload's Kim Dotcom|url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/kim-dotcom/|work=Wired |accessdate=26 January 2012|date=26 January 2012}}</ref> apparently in homage to the [[Dot-com bubble|stock market bubble]] that made him a millionaire.<ref name=WSJ_lavish>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203750404577173243494465660 Inside the lavish life of Web's Mr. Dotcom], ''The Wall Street Journal''. 21 January 2012.</ref> At the time, he was living in [[Hong Kong]], where he set up [[Megaupload]].
Prior to his arrest in New Zealand, he enjoyed a luxurious life. In 2001, his main source of income was a company called Kimvestor, which he valued at 200 million euros. He is known for spending his money on expensive cars and boats. On one occasion he spent $1 million chartering a 240-foot luxury yacht which he moored in Monte Carlo harbour during the [[2000 Monaco Grand Prix|2000 Monaco Formula One Grand Prix]], and threw lavish parties for guests including [[Rainier III, Prince of Monaco|Prince Rainier of Monaco]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2001/jan/26/internetnews.business2?INTCMP=SRCH The world of Kim Schmitz], The Guardian 26 January 2001</ref> According to U.S. officials, he owned at least 18 luxury cars, and three cars with vanity license plates that read HACKER, MAFIA, and STONED.<ref name=WSJ_lavish /> He has taken part in the [[Gumball 3000]] international road rally: in 2001 in his Mercedes [[Brabus]] SV12 Megacar, and in 2004. In an interview on Belgian Television, he claimed that in Morocco a car was blocking him and he "had to bump him off the road. Nothing happened to him". He claims he subsequently found out it was the Chief of Police in a civilian car.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVkfbAXz7GA&feature=related |title=Kim Schmitz (Kimble) Street Racing In Belgium – Part II of Belgium News |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=2 May 2012}}</ref> Despite his flamboyant image, he is a [[Teetotalism|teetotaller]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/94791949/the-martyrdom-of-kim-dotcom|title=The martyrdom of Kim Dotcom|author=Philip Matthews|date=2017-07-23|publisher=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/2012/10/ff-kim-dotcom/|title=Inside the Mansion–and Mind–of the Net’s Most Wanted Man|author=Charles Graeber|date=2012-10-18|publisher=Wired}}</ref>
He was granted permanent residence in New Zealand on 29 November 2010.<ref>Neazor, D.P. [http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/document/pdf/201239/Neazor%20repor1.pdf Report of Inspector General of Intelligence and Security], p 4, 27 September 2012</ref> At the time his residency application was being considered, Dotcom had made charitable contributions in New Zealand and was planning a huge fireworks show for the city of [[Auckland]] at a cost of NZ$600,000.<ref name="smh.com.au">{{cite news |title=Kim Dotcom's money won him New Zealand residency |url=http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/kim-dotcoms-money-won-him-new-zealand-residency-20120314-1uz6q.html |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 March 2012 |accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref> He leased a NZ$30M mansion at [[Coatesville, New Zealand|Coatesville]], in the electorate of John Key near Auckland, owned by Richard and Ruth Bradley, the British founders of [[Chrisco]], and considered one of the most expensive homes in the country. He wanted to buy the mansion when the lease expired.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10626044 |title=Multi-millionaire hacker buys Chrisco mansion |last1=Lewis |first1=Rebecca |date=14 February 2010 |work=The New Zealand Herald |accessdate=21 January 2012}}</ref>
Before his arrest in New Zealand, he was the world's number-one-ranked ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3]]'' player out of more than 15 million online players.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/01/23/kim-dotcom-falls-modernwarfare-3/ |title=Arrest fallout: Kim Dotcom drops to No. 2 rank in Modern Warfare 3 |publisher=VentureBeat |date=23 January 2012 |accessdate=2 May 2012}}</ref> On 23 January 2012, he lost the position and dropped to number two.<ref>{{cite news |author=Waugh, Rob |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2090996/Megaupload-CEO-Kim-Dotcom-slumps-No-2-Modern-Warfare-3-player-New-Zealand-arrest.html |title=Megaupload chief slumps from his position as world's No. 1 Modern Warfare 3 player after his New Zealand piracy arrest |work=Daily Mail |date=24 January 2012 |accessdate=6 October 2012 |location=London}}</ref>
Dotcom married Mona Verga, whom he described as his "soulmate" and the "love" of his life on 10 July 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11160836|title=Dotcom: When I met Mona, it all changed|date=2013-11-22|newspaper=New Zealand Herald|access-date=2017-02-21|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777}}</ref> He became the father of twin girls (his fourth and fifth children) when Verga gave birth in Auckland a month after he was released on bail from [[Mount Eden Prisons|Mt Eden prison]].<ref name=twins_dad>{{cite web |url=http://torrentfreak.com/kim-dotcom-becomes-proud-dad-of-twin-girls-120325/ |title=Kim Dotcom becomes proud dad of twin girls |author=Ernesto |work=TorrentFreak |date=25 March 2012 |accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref> On 17 May 2014, Dotcom announced on [[Twitter]] that he was separated from his wife Mona and was filing for divorce.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/megupload-founder-kim-dotcom-announces-separation-from-wife-mona-on-twitter/story-fnet09p2-1226921592594 Megupload founder Kim Dotcom announces separation from wife Mona on Twitter] news.com.au, 18 May 2014.</ref> Four days earlier, Mona had left her directorship positions in the Dotcom family's companies.<ref>[http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/kim-dotcom-s-wife-left-companies-ahead-split-5975515 Kim Dotcom's wife left companies ahead of split] tvnz.co.nz, 19 May 2014.</ref>
In November 2017, Dotcom announced he would marry his fiancé, Elizabeth Donnelly, on 20 January 2018 - the anniversary of the raid during which he was arrested. Dotcom is 21 years older than Donnelly. They had been dating for two years and in 2017 moved to Queenstown to live.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11940374 Kim Dotcom and Elizabeth Donnelly to wed on raid anniversary] NZ Herald 5 November 2017</ref>
== Legal investigations ==
=== Germany ===
As a teenager, Schmitz acquired a reputation in his native Germany after claiming to have bypassed the security of [[NASA]], [[the Pentagon]] and [[Citibank]] under the name of Kimble – based on the character of Dr Richard Kimble in the long-running television programme ''[[The Fugitive (TV series)|The Fugitive]]''.<ref name="investigate" /> He also claimed to have hacked corporate [[Private branch exchange|PBX]] systems in the United States and said he was selling the access codes at $200 each, bragging that "every PBX is an open door to me".<ref name="Megalife of Kim Dotcom">Michael Courtenay, [http://www.sociallyengineered.com.au/chronic/2012/02/03/chronic-megalife-of-kim-dotcom/ Megalife of Kim Dotcom]</ref>
In 1994, he was arrested by German police for trafficking in stolen phone calling card numbers. He was held in custody for a month, released and arrested again on additional hacking charges shortly afterwards. He was eventually convicted of 11 counts of computer fraud, 10 counts of data espionage, and an assortment of other charges. He received a two-year [[suspended sentence]] – because he was underage at the time the crimes were committed.<ref name="Megalife of Kim Dotcom" /> The judge in the case said the court viewed his actions as "youthful foolishness".<ref name="fastcompany.com">Austin Carr, [http://www.fastcompany.com/1810015/inside-megauploads-megamind-kim-dotcoms-playboy-bunnies-russian-nuclear-vessels-and-private- Inside Megaupload's Megamind: Kim Dotcom's Playboy Bunnies, Russian Nuclear Vessels, And Private War On Terror], 20 January 2012</ref>
In 2001, Schmitz bought €375,000 worth of shares of the nearly bankrupt company [[:de:Letsbuyit.com|Letsbuyit.com]] and subsequently announced his intention to invest €50 million in the company.<ref name="spiegel">[http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-21303770.html?name=Haftstrafe+f%26uuml%3Br+Schmitz%3F Haftstrafe für Schmitz?] {{de icon}}, ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' 5/2002, 28 January 2002</ref> The announcement caused the share value of Letsbuyit.com to jump<ref>[http://www.manager-magazin.de/geld/boersenblick/0,2828,114029,00.html "Rekordanstieg bei Letsbuyit"] {{de icon}} Manager-Magazin, 25 January 2001</ref> and Schmitz cashed out, making a profit of €1.5 million. One commentator suggested that Schmitz may have been ignorant of the legal ramifications of what he had done, since [[insider trading]] was not made a crime in Germany until 1995,<ref name="Megalife of Kim Dotcom" /> and until 2002 prosecutors also had to prove the accused had criminal intent.<ref name="businessweek.com">[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_15/b3878157_mz035.htm Luring German Investors Back Into The Pool], ''[[Business Week]]'', 12 April 2004.</ref>
=== Thailand ===
Dotcom moved to [[Thailand]] to avoid investigation<ref name="investigate" /> where he was subsequently arrested on behalf of German authorities.<ref name="fastcompany.com" /> In response, he allegedly pretended to kill himself online, posting a message on his website that from now on he wished to be known as "His Royal Highness King Kimble the First, Ruler of the Kimpire".<ref name="fastcompany.com" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/kim-dotcom/ |work=Wired |first=Sean |last=Gallagher |title=The Fast, Fabulous, Allegedly Fraudulent Life of Megaupload's Kim Dotcom |date=26 January 2012}}</ref> He was [[deported]] back to Germany where he pleaded guilty to [[embezzlement]] in November 2003 and, after five months in jail awaiting trial, again received a [[suspended sentence]], this time of 20 months.<ref name="businessweek.com" /> After avoiding a prison sentence for a second time, he left Germany and moved to Hong Kong in late 2003.<ref name="investigate" />
=== Hong Kong ===
Dotcom found Hong Kong to his liking and registered Kimpire Limited in December 2003, soon after moving there. He set up a network of interlinked companies, including Trendax, which he claimed was an artificial intelligence-driven hedge fund that delivered an annual return of at least 25%.<ref name="ReferenceA">Sean Gallagher, [https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/kim-dotcom/ The Fast, Fabulous, Allegedly Fraudulent Life of Megaupload’s Kim Dotcom] 26 January 2012</ref> However, Trendax was never registered with [[Securities and Futures Commission|Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission]] and the company was legally not allowed to accept investments or to conduct trades.<ref name="wired.com" /> After moving to New Zealand, Dotcom was convicted for failing to disclose his shareholding to the Securities and Futures Commission, and was fined [[Hong Kong dollars|HK$]]8,000.<ref name="smh.com.au" />
== Move to New Zealand ==
While living in Hong Kong, Dotcom visited New Zealand for 10 days in December 2008 and again for two months from August 2009. On his 2009 visit, he bought 12 cars, valued at $3.2 million, and leased a helicopter on a stand-by basis.<ref name="stuff.co.nz">[http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6547471/Secrecy-over-Dotcoms-residency-application Secrecy over Dotcom's residency application], ''The New Zealand Herald'', 9 March 2012</ref> He applied for residency and received it in November 2010. [[Immigration New Zealand]] made its decision on his application (despite his foreign convictions and despite his ''[[persona non grata]]'' status in Thailand) after officials used a special direction to waive "good character" requirements. Warwick Tuck, head of Immigration New Zealand, said that New Zealand granted Dotcom residency under the "investor plus" category, which allows people to gain residency if they invest $10 million in New Zealand.<ref name="3news.co.nz">[http://www.3news.co.nz/Megaupload-accused-Kim-Schmitz-in-court-helicopter-part-of-bail-debate/tabid/423/articleID/240281/Default.aspx Megaupload accused Kim Schmitz in court, helicopter part of bail debate], TV3 News 23 January 2012</ref> It was anticipated that Dotcom would contribute to New Zealand through investment, consumption and philanthropic activities – he has given $50,000 to the mayoral fund following the [[2011 Christchurch earthquake|Christchurch earthquake]], another $50,000 to a rugby player who was left in a wheelchair after an on-field injury and funded a $600,000 fireworks display in Auckland harbour.<ref name="stuff.co.nz" /> Mr Tuck says Dotcom disclosed his previous convictions and these had been considered;<ref name="3news.co.nz" /> they occurred more than 16 years earlier and did not involve harming anyone. Dotcom also told Immigration New Zealand his convictions had been "erased" from his record under Germany's clean-slate legislation.<ref name="nzherald.co.nz">[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10731751 Flamboyant former hacker to settle in NZ], ''The New Zealand Herald'', 12 June 2011</ref>
Despite granting him residency, Immigration New Zealand expressed concern that their decision might attract criticism that they had allowed Dotcom to buy his way into the country, and officials tried to keep it secret. Officials red-flagged his application: "We are requesting that this application be kept as confidential as possible to avoid further media speculation or attention."<ref name="stuff.co.nz" /> Dotcom's residency status subsequently became the subject of intense media speculation when it came to light that [[Mayor of Auckland City|Auckland Mayor]] [[John Banks (New Zealand politician)|John Banks]] had become involved, and that New Zealand's intelligence services had illegally spied on him (see [[Kim Dotcom#Political fallout from Dotcom's arrest|below]]) – which they were not allowed to do because he had residency. Immigration New Zealand officers judged Dotcom's convictions in Hong Kong too minor to consider deporting him.<ref name="smh.com.au" />
In October 2014, it became public that on 10 September 2009, Dotcom had been caught driving at 149 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. He pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving, and on 14 September 2009, was convicted under his former name of Kim Schmitz. The court fined him $500 and $130 court costs, and banned him from driving for six months. On his residency application of 3 June 2010, he answered "No" to the question, "Have you ... been ... convicted of an offence (including a traffic offence) committed in the last five years involving dangerous driving." Immigration New Zealand said it was looking into the matter, which raises the possibility that Dotcom could be deported.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kim Dotcom didn't declare dangerous driving conviction |first=David |last=Fisher |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11350258 |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=30 October 2014 |accessdate=30 October 2014}}</ref>
=== Involvement with Auckland mayor John Banks ===
[[John Banks (New Zealand politician)|John Banks]] met Dotcom when he was Mayor of Auckland. He asked Dotcom for help putting on a fireworks display in the city's harbour. Banks later attended a New Year's Eve party thrown by Dotcom at the city centre apartment of now bankrupt property developer [[David Henderson (Auckland, New Zealand)|David Henderson]]. He said it provided a great view of the fireworks display detonated over the [[Waitematā Harbour]]. Banks said he offered advice to the millionaire on how to apply for [[Overseas Investment Office]] permission to buy the Coatesville mansion Dotcom had been renting since coming to New Zealand.<ref name="nzherald.co.nz" />
On 28 April 2012 Dotcom revealed he also donated $50,000 to John Banks' mayoralty campaign in 2010, and that Banks asked him to split the donation in two, allowing the Banks campaign to claim them as anonymous. In 2014, Banks was found guilty of [[John Banks (New Zealand politician)#False electoral return accusation|filing a false electoral return]], with evidence from Dotcom playing a major part in the case. Among Dotcom's revelations was a phone call from Banks, thanking him for the contribution.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10834732 Act sticks by Banks – for now], ''The New Zealand Herald'', 18 September 2012</ref> Dotcom subsequently recorded a song titled ''Amnesia'', which mocks John Banks' inability to remember the $50,000 donation.<ref name="pop_airing" />
A poll in October 2012 found the New Zealand public had a more favourable view of Kim Dotcom than of Banks.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Kim-Dotcom-more-popular-than-John-Banks---poll/tabid/1607/articleID/272362/Default.aspx|title= Kim Dotcom more popular than John Banks – poll|publisher= 3 News NZ |date= 11 October 2012}}</ref>
== MegaUpload arrest and extradition proceedings ==
[[File:Megaupload.gif|thumb|right|350px|Megaupload.com's logo]]
{{Main|Megaupload}}
{{See also|Megaupload legal case}}
In February 2003, at the same time he registered Trendax, Dotcom set up another company called Data Protect Limited, but changed the name to [[Megaupload]] in 2005.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> Megaupload was a [[file hosting service|file hosting]] and [[file sharing|sharing]] online service in which users could share links to files for viewing or editing. In ''10 Facts about the Megaupload Scandal'', Dotcom describes the company like this: "Megaupload is a provider of cloud storage services. The company’s primary website, Megaupload.com, offered a popular Internet-based storage platform for customers, who ranged from large businesses to individuals. This storage platform allowed its users to store files in the Internet “cloud” and to use, if needed, online storage space and bandwidth." The company was successful. However, millions of people from across the globe used Megaupload to store and access copies of TV shows, feature films, songs, porn, and software.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sandoval |first=Greg |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57362152-261/fbi-charges-megaupload-operators-with-piracy-crimes |title=FBI charges Megaupload operators with piracy crimes |publisher=CNET News |date=20 January 2012 |accessdate=19 January 2012}}</ref> Eventually it had over 150 employees, US$175 million revenues,<ref>{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Nate |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/01/google-cut-off-megauploads-ad-money-voluntarily-back-in-2007.ars |title=Google cut off Megaupload's ad money voluntarily back in 2007 |work=Ars Technica |date=20 January 2012 |accessdate=27 January 2012}}</ref> and 50 million daily visitors.<ref name="indictment">{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204616504577171180266957116 |title=Department of Justice indictment |work=The Wall Street Journal |accessdate=27 January 2012}}</ref> At its peak Megaupload was estimated to be the 13th most popular site on the Internet and responsible for 4% of all Internet traffic.<ref name="indictment" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/adplanner/planning/site_profile#siteDetails?identifier=megaupload.com |publisher=Google.com |accessdate=20 January 2012|title=Google AdPlanner for megaupload.com}}</ref>
On 5 January 2012,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/January/12-crm-074.html |title=Justice Department charges leaders of Megaupload with widespread online copyright infringement |publisher=United States Department of Justice |date=19 January 2012 |accessdate=2 May 2012}}</ref> [[indictments]] were filed in [[Virginia]] in the United States against Dotcom and other company executives with crimes including racketeering, conspiring to commit copyright infringement, and conspiring to commit money laundering.<ref>{{cite web |title=Federal Indictment of Kim Dotcom |url=https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/Virginia_Eastern_District_Court/1--12-cr-00003/USA_v_Dotcom_et_al/1/ }}</ref> Two weeks later (20 January), Kim Dotcom, Finn Batato, Mathias Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk were arrested in [[Coatesville, New Zealand|Coatesville]], Auckland, New Zealand, by New Zealand Police, in an armed raid on Dotcom's house involving 76 officers and two helicopters.<ref>{{cite news|author='+nick_name+' |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10856144 |title=Editorial: Kim Dotcom sets off year of fireworks for politicians |publisher=Nzherald.co.nz |date=27 December 2012 |accessdate=18 January 2013}}</ref> Assets worth $17 million were seized including eighteen luxury cars, giant screen TVs and works of art. Dotcom's bank accounts were frozen denying him access to US$175m (NZ$218m) in cash, the contents of 64 bank accounts world-wide, including BNZ and Kiwibank accounts in New Zealand, Government bonds and money from numerous PayPal accounts.<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6293542/Megaupload-attempting-to-get-back-online Megaload attempting to get back online], Stuff website 21 January 2012</ref>
Dotcom was [[Remand (detention)|remanded]] to [[Mt. Eden Prison|Mt Eden Prison]]. He subsequently reported: "The first night I didn't have a blanket, soap, toothpaste or toilet paper. They didn't provide us with the basic things... Every two hours, they would wake me up. I was deprived of sleep. I wrote a complaint. I said, 'This is torture, this is sleep deprivation'." He said he was treated like a convicted criminal and was "stunned to be locked up in prison over claims of criminal copyright infringements when accused murderers were bailed to await trial".<ref name=will_beat>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10788982 Dotcom: I will beat charges], ''The New Zealand Herald'', 1 March 2012</ref> On 22 February, North Shore District Court Judge Nevin Dawson overturned previous rulings and released Dotcom on bail. The judge considered there was no longer a significant risk that Dotcom would flee the country as all of his assets had been seized by this time, no new assets or bank accounts had been identified, and he had "every reason to stay to be with his family and fight to keep his assets."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17122866|title=Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom granted bail|publisher=BBC News |date=22 February 2012|accessdate=22 February 2012}}</ref>
=== High Court ===
On 28 June 2012, [[High Court of New Zealand]] Justice Helen Winkelmann found that the warrants used to seize Dotcom's property were illegal because they were too broad. "These categories of items were defined in such a way that they would inevitably capture within them both relevant and irrelevant material. The police acted on this authorization. The warrants could not authorize seizure of irrelevant material, and are therefore invalid."<ref name="nzh20120628">{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816121 |title=Dotcom searches illegal: Judge |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=28 June 2012}}</ref> News emerged later that the Crown knew it was using the wrong order while the raid was in progress and Dotcom should have been given the chance to challenge the seizure.<ref name="Dotcom wins major victory">{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816159|title=Dotcom wins major victory|work=The New Zealand Herald |date=29 June 2012}}</ref> The Crown also revealed that police had handed seized hard drives to FBI staff who copied them at the police crime lab in South Auckland and sent the copies back to the US.<ref name="Dotcom wins major victory" /> Justice Winkelmann ruled that handing the hard drives seized in the raid to the FBI was in breach of extradition legislation and the FBI’s cloning of the hard-drives was also invalid.<ref name="nzh20120628" />
Declaring the search warrants to be invalid was a significant victory for Dotcom because he was struggling to pay his mounting legal bills. At a hearing in the High Court on 28 August 2012, Justice [[Judith Potter]] allowed Dotcom to withdraw approximately NZ$6 million (US$4.8 million) from his seized funds. He was also allowed to sell nine of his cars. The amount released was to cover $2.6 million in existing legal bills, $1 million in future costs, and another $1 million in rent on his New Zealand mansion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Funds released for Dotcom's legal bills |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/funds-released-for-dotcoms-legal-bills/story-e6frg13l-1226460951083 |date=28 June 2012 |accessdate=28 June 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031082209/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/funds-released-for-dotcoms-legal-bills/story-e6frg13l-1226460951083 |archivedate=31 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
====Extradition decision====
In February 2017, the High Court upheld the earlier decision of the district court that Dotcom and his three co-accused could be extradited to the United States. However, Justice Murray Gilbert accepted the argument made by Dotcom's legal team that he and his former Megaupload colleagues cannot be extradited because of copyright infringement. The judge said he made this decision because: "online communication of copyright protected works to the public is not a criminal offence in New Zealand". However, Justice Gilbert said there were "general criminal law fraud provisions" in New Zealand law which covered the actions of the accused and they could be extradited on that basis.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11804230 Kim Dotcom and co-accused eligible for extradition to US, says High Court],
NZ Herald, 20 February 2017</ref>
Dotcom saw this decision as a major victory saying: "The major part of this litigation has been won by this judgement - that copyright is not extraditable." The ruling opened the door to further appeals because the warrant which was served on him when he was arrested on 20 January 2012, stated he was being charged specifically with "copyright" offences. Both sides are expected to challenge aspects of the ruling before the New Zealand Court of Appeal and eventually the Supreme Court.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11804210 Kim Dotcom legal saga: Extradition to US over Megaupload still on cards but he claims court ruling is a 'major victory'], NZ Herald 20 February 2017</ref>
=== Court of Appeal ===
In May 2012, a district court judge ruled that the FBI should hand over all its evidence against Dotcom relating to the extradition bid. The Crown appealed, but the ruling was upheld by the High Court. The Crown appealed again and in March 2013, the Court of Appeal quashed the previous court decisions. Crown lawyer John Pike, on behalf of the US Government, argued that the district court had no power to make disclosure decisions in an extradition case and that "disclosure was extensive and could involve billions of emails". The Court of Appeal agreed stating that extradition hearings were not trials and the full protections and procedures for criminal trials did not apply. Dotcom's lawyer, Paul Davison, QC, appealed to the Supreme Court. In May 2013, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case, so it will make the final decision on whether Dotcom should receive all the FBI investigation files before the extradition hearing.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10884084|title=Supreme Court allows appeal|work=The New Zealand Herald |date=16 May 2013}}</ref>
A series of subsequent court decisions delayed every attempt to hold a hearing focused on extradition. In March 2013, Dotcom won a Court of Appeal ruling allowing him to sue the [[GCSB]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Dotcom-wins-right-to-sue-Govt-spies/tabid/423/articleID/289342/Default.aspx|work=[[3 News NZ]] |title=Dotcom wins right to sue Govt spies|date=7 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10869764 |work=The New Zealand Herald |title=Dotcom wins right to sue|date=7 March 2013}}</ref> rejecting the attorney-general's appeal against a ruling in December 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Crown-wants-GCSB-exluded-from-Dotcom-case/tabid/423/articleID/286755/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ |title=Crown wants GCSB exluded from Dotcom case|date=7 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/128063/judge-describes-dotcom-case-as-a-procedural-mess |work=[[Radio NZ]]|title=Judge describes Dotcom case as a procedural mess|date=14 February 2013}}</ref> A month later, Dotcom appeared in court again, seeking compensation from police over the raid on his house, which earlier had been deemed illegal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Dotcom-back-in-court-to-sue-police/tabid/423/articleID/294275/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ |title=Dotcom back in court to sue police|date=15 April 2013}}</ref>
=== Confidential settlement with police ===
In November 2017, Dotcom and his former wife Mona accepted a confidential settlement from the police over the raid. The settlement came after a damages claim was filed with the High Court over the "unreasonable" use of force when the anti-terrorism Special Tactics Group raided his mansion in January 2012. Settlements have already been reached between police and Bram van der Kolk and Mathias Ortmann who were also arrested. The ''[[New Zealand Herald]]'' reported that their settlements were six-figure sums and "it is likely Dotcom would seek more as the main target in the raid". Commenting on the settlement, Dotcom said: "We were shocked at the uncharacteristic handling of my arrest for a non-violent Internet copyright infringement charge brought by the United States, which is not even a crime in New Zealand".<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11940279 Dotcom wins settlement from police over the 2012 dawn raid which saw him arrested], ''[[New Zealand Herald]]'', 3 November 2017</ref>
=== Supreme Court ===
In February 2014, the [[New Zealand Court of Appeal]] deemed the raids on Kim Dotcom to be legal but not the FBI's taking of information.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/9739447/ |title=Dotcom raid legal, FBI taking evidence not |work=[[Stuff.co.nz]]}}</ref> Dotcom appealed this decision to the Supreme Court. In December four of the five judges agreed with the Court of Appeal that the raid was legal and ordered Dotcom to pay $35,000 costs. Chief Justice Sian Elias dissented, saying there had been a miscarriage of justice as the search warrant was too broad.<ref>[http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/court-rules-dotcom-mansion-raid-legal-2014122311#axzz3MkV2gbFR Court rules Dotcom mansion raid legal], TV3 News 23 December 2014</ref>
A month before the Supreme Court decision, Dotcom's legal team quit after he had spent $10 million on his defence, financed the Internet Party, but then ran out of money. When the US tried to have his bail revoked, a new lawyer, Ron Mansfield, helped keep him out of prison.<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/63552244/dotcom-officially-broke-right-now.html Dotcom 'officially broke right now' video], Stuff 26 November 2014</ref> In December 2014, events took another turn when the High Court in Hong Kong ruled that the United States "did not have a clear path to serve a legal summons on Dotcom's filesharing company" and he could take a case to get back $60 million seized by authorities there. In making this decision, Judge Tallentire said, "No one can say when that process of extradition will be completed given the appeal paths open to the various accused. Indeed, no one can say if it will ever be completed".<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11370807 Kim Dotcom's fight for Hong Kong millions], ''New Zealand Herald'', 8 December 2014</ref>
=== Political fallout ===
Since Dotcom was arrested by the New Zealand police in January 2012, he had an ongoing dispute with former Prime Minister John Key about when Mr Key first became aware of Dotcom. Dotcom argued that Mr Key was involved in a plan to allow him into New Zealand so that he could then be extradited to the US to face copyright charges. Mr Key had consistently said he had never heard of Dotcom until the day before the New Zealand Police raided his mansion in Coatesville.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11324685 Kiwis' data lodged with NSA – Greenwald,] ''The New Zealand Herald'', 15 September 2014</ref>
==== Apology for illegal spying on Dotcom ====
On 24 September 2012, Mr Key revealed that, at the request of the police, the [[New Zealand Government Communications Security Bureau]] (GCSB) had spied on Dotcom, illegally helping police to locate him and monitor his communications in the weeks prior to the raid on his house.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10836179|title=Dotcom: Illegal spying revealed|work=The New Zealand Herald |date=24 September 2012}}</ref> The GCSB are not allowed to spy on New Zealand citizens or permanent residents; Dotcom, though not a citizen, had been granted permanent residency. Three days later, the Prime Minister John Key apologized for the illegal spying. "I apologize to Mr Dotcom. I apologize to New Zealanders because every New Zealander… is entitled to be protected from the law when it comes to the GCSB Government Communications Security Bureau, and we failed to provide that appropriate protection for him."<ref>{{cite news |title=New Zealand Prime Minister John Key Apologizes To Kim Dotcom, Says Spying Was Illegal |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/27/new-zealand-prime-minister-illegally-spied-on-kim-dotcom_n_1919275.html |date=27 September 2012 |accessdate=27 September 2012 |work=Huffington Post |first=Dominique |last=Mosbergen}}</ref>
In December 2012, Chief High Court judge Helen Winkelman ordered the GCSB to "confirm all entities" to which it gave information sourced through its illegal spying. This opened the door for Dotcom to sue for damages – against the spy agency and the police.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10852335 Dotcom can pursue case against police], GCSB, ''The New Zealand Herald''</ref> The Crown appealed but in March 2013, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10869764 |title=Dotcom wins right to sue |publisher=Nzherald.co.nz |date=2013-03-07 |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/document/pdf/201310/KimDotCOm.pdf |work=The New Zealand Herald|title=Judgement of the court|date=7 March 2013}}</ref>
==== Media reaction ====
The mistakes by authorities have attracted widespread media coverage and John Key's handling of the affair has been criticised by opposition parties in Parliament. Political commentator Bryce Edwards said the GCSB's involvement and the botched search warrants have "turned the pursuit of (Dotcom) and the operations of our law-enforcement agencies into the stuff of farce". A ''[[Waikato Times]]'' editorial said that the announcement of the illegal spying has "heightened suspicions that this country's relationship with the United States has become one of servility rather than friendship. ... It is preposterous to suggest Mr Dotcom threatens our national security. The Government's unquestioning readiness to co-operate with American authorities seriously corrodes our claims to be an independent state."<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10836888 Political round-up: Growing anger over Dotcom fiasco], ''The New Zealand Herald'', 27 September 2012</ref> ''[[The Sunday Star-Times]]'' commentator Richard Boock compared the Dotcom saga to [[Watergate scandal|Watergate]] and suggested it may eventually 'bring down' John Key.<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/blogs/an-auckland-minute/7783889/Could-Dotcom-bring-down-Key Could Dotcom bring down Key?] Auckland Now, 9 October 2012</ref> The story has also made headlines overseas including in the ''Wall Street Journal'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443916104578021590722745574 |work=The Wall Street Journal|title=New Zealand Admits Error In Dotcom Investigation}}</ref> ''New York Times'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/04/technology/megaupload-founder-goes-from-arrest-to-cult-hero.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |work=The New York Times |first=Jonathan |last=Hutchison |title=Megaupload Founder Goes From Arrest to Cult Hero |date=3 July 2012}}</ref> ''The Guardian'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/sep/27/new-zealand-apologises-kim-dotcom?INTCMP=SRCH |location=London |work=The Guardian |title=New Zealand PM apologises to Kim Dotcom over spying 'error' |date=27 September 2012}}</ref> and the ''Hollywood Reporter''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kim-dotcom-new-zealand-government-spying-373774 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Pip |last=Bulbeck |title=New Zealand Government Admits to Spying Bungle in Kim Dotcom Extradition Case |date=24 September 2012}}</ref> which specialises in legal and entertainment issues.<ref>John Key's Hollywood jaunt will be scrutinised, Dominion Post 1 October 2012</ref>
==== Dotcom's involvement in New Zealand politics ====
[[File:Internet Mana Party Tour 4 August 2014 03.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Dotcom at a political rally held by the Internet Party and Mana Movement]]
In September 2013, Dotcom revealed he aspired to enter [[Politics of New Zealand|New Zealand politics]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9113113/Kim-Dotcom-to-enter-politics |title=Kim Dotcom to enter politics? |publisher=[[Fairfax New Zealand]] |date=1 September 2013 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6JIngFg30?url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9113113/Kim-Dotcom-to-enter-politics |archivedate= 1 September 2013 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> On 27 March 2014, Dotcom founded the [[Internet Party (New Zealand)|Internet Party]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://internet.org.nz/news/4 |title=Internet Party now online for New Zealand |accessdate=27 August 2014 |publisher=Internet Party of New Zealand |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903122841/https://internet.org.nz/news/4 |archivedate=3 September 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9873341/Launch-day-for-Kim-Dotcoms-Internet-Party|title=Launch day for Kim Dotcom's Internet Party|publisher=Stuff.co.nz|first1=Laura|last1=Walters|accessdate=27 August 2014|date=27 March 2014}}</ref> In May 2014, it was announced that the Internet Party would form a political alliance with the [[Mana Party]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2014/05/30/newz-m30.html|title=New Zealand’s Internet and Mana parties merge |publisher=World Socialist Web Site|author=John Braddock|date=30 May 2014|accessdate=16 February 2015}}</ref> led by local activist and sitting Member of Parliament [[Hone Harawira]]. The deal was brokered to serve the Mana Party financially, with the combined structure's political campaign in the [[New Zealand general election, 2014|2014 general election]] being primarily funded by Dotcom. In contrast, the fledgling Internet Party was to benefit from the possibility of seats in parliament in the event that the combined structure were to achieve a greater percentage of the country's vote, helped along by the Mana Party's existing seat. Due to his citizenship status, Dotcom was ineligible to become a member of parliament,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9600518/Dotcom-sets-sights-on-politics|title=Dotcom sets sights on politics|work=Stuff|accessdate=16 February 2015}}</ref> and [[Laila Harré]], a veteran of left-wing politics and trade unions, was chosen as leader of the Internet Party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Laila-Harre-to-lead-Internet-Party/tabid/1607/articleID/346312/Default.aspx|title=Laila Harre to lead Internet Party|publisher=|accessdate=16 February 2015}}</ref>
===The Moment of Truth===
{{listen|filename=The Moment of Truth Press Conference.ogg|title=Kim Dotcom and others at a press conference after The Moment of Truth}}
On 16 September 2014, Dotcom held an event in the Auckland Town Hall five days before the election in which he promised to provide 'absolute proof' that Key knew about him long before he was arrested.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11324988 Dotcom email is a fake – Warner Bros,]''The New Zealand Herald'', 16 December 2014</ref> The event was billed as the 'Moment of Truth' and included the release of an email dated October 27, 2010 from Kevin Tsujihara, the chief executive of Warner Bros to a senior executive at the Motion Picture Association of America – the lobby group for the Hollywood studios. ''The New Zealand Herald'', which broke the story, contacted Warner Bros., who said the email was a fake.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11325021 Who is Kevin Tsujihara, the Hollywood exec in Dotcom's big reveal?] ''The New Zealand Herald'', 16 September 2014</ref>
In the [[New Zealand general election, 2014|2014 general election]], the joint [[Internet Party and Mana Movement]] gained 1.42% of the nationwide party vote but failed to win any seats. Dotcom, who was not a candidate because he is not a New Zealand citizen,<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29268823 New Zealand's National Party wins re-election], BBC News 20 September 2014</ref> sank $NZ3.5 million dollars into the Internet Party, the largest personal contribution to a political party on record in New Zealand, according to the national Electoral Commission.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/19/world/asia/kim-dotcom-online-renegade-shakes-up-new-zealand-election.html Online Renegade, Wanted in U.S., Shakes Up New Zealand Election,] ''The New York Times'', 18 September 2014</ref> "I take full responsibility for this loss tonight," Dotcom told reporters as election results became clear, "because the brand—the brand Kim Dotcom—was poison for what we were trying to achieve".<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/21/world/asia/new-zealands-ruling-national-party-is-re-elected.html New Zealand's Ruling National Party Is Re-elected,] ''The New York Times'', 20 September 2014</ref> The [[Serious Fraud Office (New Zealand)|Serious Fraud Office]] investigated the email and determined that it was a forgery.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=David |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11820379 |title=SFO: Kim Dotcom's smoking gun email evidence was a 'forgery' |date=17 March 2017 |work=The New Zealand Herald |accessdate=22 May 2017}}</ref>
The media criticised Dotcom for 'failing to deliver' at the Moment of Truth after claiming for three years he could prove John Key had lied in relation to his copyright case.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11325351 Dotcom telling the truth over email – Harre], New Zealand Herald, 16 September 2014.</ref><ref>[http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/dotcom-fails-deliver-claim-key-knew-him-6082768 Dotcom fails to deliver on claim about when Key knew of him], TVOne News, 16 September 2014</ref> After the election, in which the Internet Mana alliance failed to win a seat, public support for Dotcom seemed to dissipate. Dotcom said in January 2015 he had become such 'a pariah' in New Zealand that he might as well leave the country.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11381758 Kim Dotcom: I'm a pariah in New Zealand], New Zealand Herald, 4 January 2015</ref>
=== Extradition ===
After three years' legal wrangling, involving two supreme court cases and 10 separate delays in the proceedings, [[extradition]] proceedings finally got underway in an Auckland court on 21 September 2015.<ref name=Guardian92115>{{cite news|title=Kim Dotcom in court for US extradition hearing after three years of delays|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/21/kim-dotcom-in-court-for-us-extradition-hearing-after-three-years-of-delays|accessdate=21 September 2015|work=The Guardian|agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref>
The wrangling continued at the hearing with Dotcom and his colleagues claiming they were unable to present a proper defence because the US had threatened to seize any funds they try to spend on international experts in Internet copyright issues.<ref>[http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/286343/dotcom-lawyer-accuses-us-of-'secrecy-bordering-on-deceit' Dotcom lawyer accuses US of 'secrecy bordering on deceit]' Radio New Zealand.</ref> Dotcom's American lawyer, Ira Rothken, said they would need about US$500,000 to get evidence from the appropriate experts.<ref>[http://m.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=11525855 Dotcom: $500K to fight extradition], NZ Herald</ref> Harvard Law professor [[Lawrence Lessig]], an international expert in copyright and fair use, provided his written opinion for free. He said there were no legal grounds to extradite Dotcom and the allegations and evidence made public by the US Department of Justice "do not meet the requirements necessary to support a prima facie case that would be recognised by United States federal law".<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11514142 No grounds to extradite Kim Dotcom, says Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig], NZ Herald</ref>
Once the hearing finally got under way, Crown prosecutor Christine Gordon, on behalf of the US Government, called it a "simple scheme of fraud".<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11538846 Kim Dotcom's lawyer: 'There's no crime against making money from a brilliant idea'], NZ Herald, 2 November 2015</ref> Defence Lawyer Ron Mansfield's 300 page submission began with the argument that the case should be thrown out because the United States Supreme Court ruled in a parallel case in 1982 that copyright infringement was a civil matter and could not be prosecuted as criminal fraud.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11541364 Kanye, a Kardashian, the King and Dotcom], NZ Herald, 7 November 2015</ref>
The Crown also made numerous references to intercepted [[Skype]] conversations between Dotcom and his co-defendants. Christine Gordon claimed one message written by Dotcom, when translated from German, read: "At some point a judge will be convinced about how evil we are and then we are in trouble." Mr Mansfield said this sentence was used repeatedly by Ms Gordon during her submission "with the knowledge that it would make international media headlines". Mansfield had the passage translated by three independent academics who said it had a very different meaning and should read: "At some stage a judge will be talked into how bad we allegedly are and then it will be a mess."<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11538876 Kim Dotcom trial: Crown accused of incorrect translations], NZ Herald, 2 November 2015</ref>
On 23 December 2015, North Shore District Court Judge, Nevin Dawson, announced that Dotcom and the three other Megaupload co-founders were eligible for extradition. He said the US had a "large body of evidence" which supported a prima facie case.<ref name="extraditionlose">{{cite news|title=Kim Dotcom loses extradition case|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/75407880/kim-dotcom-loses-extradition-case|accessdate=23 December 2015}}</ref> An immediate appeal was lodged by Dotcom's lawyer.<ref name="radionz.co.nz">[http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/292902/dotcom-case-'destined-for-supreme-court' Dotcom case 'destined for Supreme Court'], Radio NZ, 24 December 2015</ref><ref name="extraditionlose_herald">{{cite news|title=Kim Dotcom Loses Extradition Battle, Appeal Made|url=http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11565399|accessdate=23 December 2015|publisher=NZ Herald}}</ref>
In February 2017 the New Zealand High Court rejected an earlier appeal and endorsed the extradition to the US.<ref name="Eleanor Ainge Roy"/>
== Dotcom's perspective ==
=== On his early offending ===
In a lengthy article on [[TorrentFreak]], Dotcom claims he was not guilty of insider trading in Germany. He said the judge and prosecutor offered him a suspended sentence if he pleaded guilty. "I took the deal and moved on with my life instead of spending the next few years in court rooms defending my innocence."<ref name="torrentfreak">{{cite web |url=http://torrentfreak.com/from-rogue-to-vogue-megaupload-and-kim-dotcom-111218/ |title=From Rogue To Vogue: Megaupload and Kim Dotcom. December 18, 2011 |publisher=Torrentfreak.com |date=18 December 2011 |accessdate=2 May 2012}}</ref> Commenting on his business activities in Hong Kong, he said: "Hong Kong, what an awesome place to do business and to host my new phantom persona. I should write a book about doing business in Hong Kong, that’s how good it is."
Dotcom also wrote: "I made mistakes when I was young and I paid the price. Steve Jobs was a hacker and Martha {{Sic||Stuart}} is doing well after her insider trading case. I think over a decade after all of this happened it should NOT be the dominating topic. I am 37 years old now, I am married, I have three adorable children with two more on the way (twin girls – yeah) and I know that I am not a bad person. I have grown and I have learned. Making this into an issue about my past is unfair to everyone else working at Mega. Our business is legitimate."<ref name="torrentfreak" /> "We have spent millions of dollars on legal advice over the last few years and our legal advisers have always told us that we are secure and that we are protected by the [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA]], which is a law in the US that is protecting online service providers of liability for the actions of their users."<ref name=without_trial />
=== On Megaupload ===
In regard to Megaupload, Dotcom says he believes the company had actively tried to prevent copyright infringement – its terms of service forced users to agree they would not post copyrighted material to the website. Companies or individuals with concerns that their copyright material was being posted on Megaupload were given direct access to the website to delete infringing links. Megaupload also employed 20 staff dedicated to taking down material that might infringe copyright.<ref name=will_beat /> Dotcom also explained that Megaupload was responsible for the transfer of 800 files every second and that it would be impossible to police all that traffic. In addition, US privacy laws, such as [[Electronic Communication Privacy Act]], prohibit the administrators from looking into the accounts of the users.
On 1 March 2012, Dotcom gave his first interview to New Zealand media after his arrest to [[John Campbell (broadcaster)|John Campbell]] of [[Campbell Live]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Kim-Dotcoms-first-TV-interview-Im-no-piracy-king/tabid/817/articleID/244830/Default.aspx |title=Kim Dotcom's first interview after arrest |publisher=3news.co.nz |date=1 March 2012 |accessdate=1 March 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120729131119/http://www.3news.co.nz/Kim-Dotcoms-first-TV-interview-Im-no-piracy-king/tabid/817/articleID/244830/Default.aspx |archivedate=29 July 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He said the services offered by his Megaupload site were not significantly different from comparable services using cloud technology such as [[Rapidshare]] or [[YouTube]],<ref name=without_trial /> and he has just been used as a scapegoat because of his involvement with hacking activities in the past. He explained the close ties of his case to that of [[Viacom International Inc. v. YouTube, Inc.|Viacom vs YouTube]] in which the [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]] (DMCA) shielded YouTube from the infringement of its users and described his surprise when he was arrested without trial or a hearing.<ref name=without_trial>{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Nate |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/03/megaupload-got-a-death-sentence-without-trial-says-kim-dotcom-in-first-tv-interview.ars |title=Megaupload takedown a "death sentence without trial," says Kim Dotcom |publisher=Arstechnica.com |date=1 March 2012 |accessdate=2 May 2012}}</ref>
=== On US involvement in his arrest ===
Dotcom claims to be a legitimate businessman who has been unfairly demonized by United States authorities and industry trade groups such as the [[RIAA]] and [[MPAA]].<ref name="torrentfreak" /> He blames former US President [[Barack Obama]] for colluding with Hollywood to orchestrate his arrest<ref name="pop_airing" /> and has spoken out against his negative portrayal in the media. In regard to the illegal spying conducted by GCSB, Dotcom said they were not spying to find out where he was. "The GCSB was utilised to surveil all my communication in order to give the U.S. Government full access to all my communication, without the requirement of a warrant," he said.<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/7802709/Dotcom-more-popular-than-Banks Dotcom more popular than Banks], ''The New Zealand Herald'', 11 October 2012</ref> In May 2013, Dotcom released a 39-page [[white paper]] that links his prosecution to Hollywood studios. He claims that the US government prosecuted him in return for contributions from the studios to President [[Barack Obama]]. He released the paper to coincide with the visit to New Zealand of [[United States Attorney General]], [[Eric Holder]], head of the [[US Justice Department]], which oversees the FBI.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10882074 Key misled by US, claims Dotcom] ''The New Zealand Herald'', 8 May 2013</ref>
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key added to speculation about Hollywood's role in October 2012 when it was announced he was going on a four-day visit to meet top studio executives.<ref name="nzherald-10837799">[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10837799 Key: LA visit about jobs], ''The New Zealand Herald'', 2 October 2012</ref> Key said the trip was intended to promote New Zealand as a good country to produce movies, but he was planning to meet with the [[Motion Picture Association of America]] (MPAA), which had described Dotcom as "a career criminal".<ref name="nzherald-10837799" /> Using [[Twitter]], Dotcom said that [[Chris Dodd]] was "responsible for the destruction of Megaupload & the abuse of my family".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/KimDotcom/status/253587906604724224|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=27 August 2014|last1=Dotcom|first1=Kim|title=Kim Dotcom Status Update}}</ref>
In November 2013, ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'' senior journalist David Fisher published ''The Secret Life of Kim Dotcom: Spies, Lies and the War for the Internet.'' The book covers aspects of Dotcom's personal life and reveals that he fears for his life. He is quoted telling a friend "Don't just let it go", if he is killed as part of US allegations of copyright breaches associated with Megaupload.<ref>Inside Kim Dotcom's mind, ''The New Zealand Herald'', 22 November 2013</ref>
== Other activities ==
Following the [[11 September 2001 attacks]] in the United States, Dotcom launched a group called Young Intelligent Hackers Against Terrorism (YIHAT).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/oct/29/mondaymediasection.afghanistan1|title=Can he save the world?|author=Angus Batey|date=29 October 2001|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> He claimed to have hacked Sudanese bank accounts belonging to Osama Bin Laden and offered a $10 million reward for information leading to Osama's capture on his now-defunct kimble.org site.<ref name="wired.com" />
Dotcom participated in a mock funeral procession for public broadcaster [[TVNZ 7]] in downtown Auckland, on the day of its final broadcast. He had warmed to one of its more notable shows, ''Media7'', for its championing of Internet freedom, and had been interviewed on the show at least once.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/7199883/Kim-Dotcom-joins-TVNZ7-funeral|author=Marika Hill|title=Kim Dotcom joins TVNZ7 funeral|date=30 June 2012|publisher=[[Fairfax NZ News]]}}</ref>
In February 2012, [[Lindsey Stirling]] released Lord of The Rings Medley,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQiNVk_u0po|title=Lord of the Rings Medley – Lindsey Stirling|date=2 February 2012|work=YouTube|accessdate=16 February 2015}}</ref> a music video funded by Dotcom.
In August 2012, Dotcom released a song titled ''Party Amplifier'' as a sample of his upcoming album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/KimDotcom/status/239200605976031232|author=Kim Dotcom|title=Kim Dotcom's new album|date=24 August 2012}}</ref> Dotcom was already in the process of recording the album with friend and producer [[Printz Board]] (who wrote ''Yes We Can'' for [[Barack Obama's 2008 election campaign]]) when he was arrested. Printz and Dotcom recorded more than 20 songs at [[Neil Finn]]'s [[Roundhead Studios]] in [[Newton, Auckland]] – one of which is called ''Mr President'' – an electronica protest against Barack Obama, who Dotcom believes was involved in shutting down Megaupload.<ref name=pop_airing>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10821092 Dotcom's pop protest gets its first airing], ''The New Zealand Herald'', 21 July 2012</ref>
In June 2012, Dotcom announced on [[Twitter]] the launch of [[Megaupload#Megabox|Megabox]], a new music streaming service to rival [[Spotify]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-news/industry/2012/06/25/megaupload-founder-to-launch-streaming-service/| title=Megaupload founder to launch streaming serviceMegabox to launch on raid anniversary}}</ref> He announced in October 2012 that Megabox would launch on 19 January 2013, the first anniversary of the closure of Megaupload and the raid on his Auckland property.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Dotcom-to-launch-Megabox-on-raid-anniversary/tabid/412/articleID/274463/Default.aspx|title=Megabox to launch on raid anniversary|date=29 October 2012|publisher=3 News}}</ref> However, later said that Megabox would be launched a few months after Mega.
On 2 November, Dotcom announced a new file storage service, similar to Megaupload, using the domain name me.ga. It was to be launched 19 January 2013, but the African state of [[Gabon]], which controls the .ga domain, cancelled the me.ga name on 6 November 2012. The site has since registered the names mega.co.nz and mega.net.nz. The new file hosting service offers file encryption to enhance user privacy and security.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2223907/kim-dotcom-s-mega-gets-another-domain-name |title=Kim Dotcom's Mega gets another domain name |work=[[The Inquirer]] |date=2012-11-12 |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref> As a result of this encryption, Dotcom and mega.co.nz will not know of the content of the uploaded data, allowing for the claim of [[plausible deniability]] to be made should new charges arise. In January 2013, Dotcom offered a $13,500 reward to anyone able to defeat the site's security system.<ref>{{cite web|last=Russell |first=Jon |url=http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/02/01/kim-dotcom-puts-up-13500-bounty-for-first-person-to-break-megas-security-system/ |title=Kim Dotcom Offers $13,500 Mega Security Hack Bounty |publisher=The Next Web|date=2013-02-01 |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref>
Dotcom has been involved in the local community in Auckland. In December 2012, he announced that he would be playing the part of Santa Claus in the play ''MegaChristmas'', run by Auckland's Basement Theatre.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Dotcom-to-star-in-MegaChristmas/tabid/418/articleID/279095/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ |title=Dotcom to star in MegaChristmas|date=4 December 2012}}</ref> In a local ceremony on the first of that month, he turned on the Franklin Road Christmas lights and delivered a speech before the display.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Dotcom-dons-Santa-hat/tabid/420/articleID/278867/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ |title=Dotcom dons Santa hat|date=2 December 2012}}</ref>
On 4 September 2013, Kim Dotcom stepped down as director of Mega,<ref name="ceoworld magazine">{{cite web|url=http://ceoworld.biz/ceo/2013/09/04/kim-dotcom-has-stepped-down-as-director-of-mega-file-storage-startup|title=Kim Dotcom Has Stepped Down As Director Of Mega File-Storage Startup|author=CEOWORLD magazine|date=4 September 2013|accessdate=4 September 2013|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911164825/http://ceoworld.biz/ceo/2013/09/04/kim-dotcom-has-stepped-down-as-director-of-mega-file-storage-startup|archivedate=11 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and announced he was working on a music streaming service called Baboom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Kim-Dotcom-reveals-music-service-Baboom/tabid/412/articleID/312467/Default.aspx |title=Kim Dotcom reveals music service 'Baboom', 3 News NZ |publisher=3news.co.nz |date= |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref> Dotcom says it will be more advanced than Megabox.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://torrentfreak.com/kim-dotcom-teases-new-music-service-baboom-130907 |title=Torrentfreak, Kim Dotcom Teases New Music Service... BABOOM |publisher=[[TorrentFreak]]|date=2013-09-07 |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref>
On 10 September 2013, Dotcom announced that he would play 100 people in ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3'' at New Zealand's first Digital Entertainment Expo,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/videos/g523b8ad3ec94e/Kim-Dotcom-vs-100-at-DIGITAL-NATIONZ/ |title=Kim Dotcom vs 100 at DIGITAL NATIONZ |publisher=[[Gameplanet (New Zealand)]] |date=2013-09-20 |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref> DIGITAL NATIONZ. The former world number one would play a mix of challengers from the audience who could win prizes for beating him, as well as play against celebrities for charities Y for Youth and [[Starship Hospital]].
On 25 December 2014, Dotcom helped stop<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/post-arcade/how-mega-founder-kim-dotcom-helped-stop-holiday-xbox-live-and-psn-ddos-attacks-by-appeasing-lizard-squad?__lsa=058b-167a|title=How Mega founder Kim Dotcom helped Xbox Live, PSN recover from Lizard Squad's attack|newspaper=Financial Post|access-date=2017-01-10}}</ref> the Christmas [[Denial-of-service attack|DDoS]] attacks on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network by giving [[Lizard Squad]] 3,000 $99 one year [[Mega (service)|MEGA]] accounts which would then be converted to lifetime accounts worth approximately $300,000.
On 22 May 2017, Dotcom posted a statement to his website claiming to have information relevant to the investigation into the July 2016 [[Murder of Seth Rich|murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://gizmodo.com/sean-hannity-tweets-out-ludicrous-seth-rich-conspiracy-1795481166|title=Sean Hannity Tweets Out Ludicrous Seth Rich Conspiracy From Kim Dotcom|newspaper=Gizmodo|access-date=2017-05-23}}</ref> Dotcom claimed that he had proof that Rich was the source of the [[2016 Democratic National Committee email leak]], and that he was willing to provide evidence if US [[special counsel]] [[Robert Mueller]] could guarantee his safe passage from New Zealand to the United States. Seth Rich's family issued a statement calling Dotcom's statements "ridiculous, manipulative, and non-credible."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/seth-rich-kim-dotcom-murder-wikileaks-fox-news-sean-hannity-russia-hillary-614307|title=Seth Rich’s family on Kim Dotcom claims through a spokesman, Brad Bauman: 'ridiculous, manipulative, and non-credible'|newspaper=[[Newsweek]]|access-date=2017-05-23}}</ref> Also in 2017, the biographical documentary ''Kim Dotcom: Caught in the Web'', directed by Annie Goldson, premiered at the [[New Zealand International Film Festival]].<ref>[https://www.nziff.co.nz/2017/auckland/kim-dotcom-caught-in-the-web/ Kim Dotcom: Caught in the Web]</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Albums ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Year
! rowspan="2" | Title
! rowspan="2" | Details
! Peak chart<br />positions
|-
! [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|NZ]]<ref>{{cite web|title=10 February 2014|url=http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=2413|work=Official NZ Music Charts|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|accessdate=5 Nov 2014}}</ref>
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Good Times (Kim Dotcom album)|Good Times]]''
|
* Released: 20 Jan 2014
* Label: Kimpire Music
| align="center" | 8
|-
|colspan="4" style="font-size:90%" align="center" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
|-
|}
=== Singles ===
*"Megaupload" (2011)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0Wvn-9BXVc |title=Megaupload Song HD |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=10 November 2016}}</ref>
*"Mr. President" (2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/mr.-president-single/id548359752 |title=Mr. President – Single |publisher=[[iTunes Store]] ([[Apple Inc]]) |accessdate=24 January 2014}}</ref>
*"Precious" (2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/precious-single/id552053827 |title=Precious – Single |publisher=iTunes Store (Apple Inc) |accessdate=24 January 2014}}</ref>
*"Good Life" (2016)
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Kim Schmitz}}
* {{Official website}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dotcom, Kim}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Kiel]]
[[Category:Kim Dotcom| ]]
[[Category:German people of Finnish descent]]
[[Category:German fraudsters]]
[[Category:German computer criminals]]
[[Category:Privacy activists]]
[[Category:People deported from Thailand]]
[[Category:German expatriates in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:German emigrants to New Zealand]]
[[Category:Finnish emigrants to New Zealand]]
[[Category:German chief executives]]
[[Category:Finnish chief executives]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in computing]]
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