This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27242911
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Kim Dotcom: On the road with Hollywood's biggest enemy | Kim Dotcom: On the road with Hollywood's biggest enemy |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| They thought they'd finally got him. | They thought they'd finally got him. |
| Kim Dotcom, the multi-millionaire hacker-turned-entrepreneur, was on the roof of his New Zealand mansion, handcuffed and surrounded. | Kim Dotcom, the multi-millionaire hacker-turned-entrepreneur, was on the roof of his New Zealand mansion, handcuffed and surrounded. |
| One by one, his luxury cars were rolled out of garages and taken away. Dotcom's accounts, in various different countries, were frozen. | |
| His website, file storage service Megaupload, was shut down. | His website, file storage service Megaupload, was shut down. |
| Filings made in a court in Virginia outlined the accusation. Dotcom, US authorities said, was the man behind a "criminal enterprise" which used Megaupload to profit from piracy on a "massive scale". He faces more than 20 years in prison. | Filings made in a court in Virginia outlined the accusation. Dotcom, US authorities said, was the man behind a "criminal enterprise" which used Megaupload to profit from piracy on a "massive scale". He faces more than 20 years in prison. |
| "That's when I woke up to what the United States has become," an unwaveringly defiant Dotcom tells me, with typical brashness. | "That's when I woke up to what the United States has become," an unwaveringly defiant Dotcom tells me, with typical brashness. |
| "How they lie at every corner if they want to get something done. How the law doesn't even matter. | "How they lie at every corner if they want to get something done. How the law doesn't even matter. |
| "I became a victim of that, and I said to myself, 'This is the world we're living in, and someone needs to stand up and needs to fight that.'" | |
| And fight it he has. | And fight it he has. |
| He is going head-to-head with some of the most powerful executives in Hollywood. They hold him responsible for millions upon millions of dollars in lost revenue - dollars which they say paid for a dazzling mansion situated in beautiful rolling hills near Auckland. | He is going head-to-head with some of the most powerful executives in Hollywood. They hold him responsible for millions upon millions of dollars in lost revenue - dollars which they say paid for a dazzling mansion situated in beautiful rolling hills near Auckland. |
| 'Happy bubble' | 'Happy bubble' |
| Which is where I first meet him, more than two years after the raid, on a sunny Friday afternoon. He's just finished lunch. | Which is where I first meet him, more than two years after the raid, on a sunny Friday afternoon. He's just finished lunch. |
| Dotcom is sitting alone, at the head of a long, wooden table, next to a snooker table that doesn't look like it has enjoyed much use. To his right is a swimming pool that certainly has. | |
| One thing is immediately apparent about this scene: Dotcom's quite clearly not in jail. | |
| Since the raid, Dotcom has been mounting a stunning legal and professional comeback. Thanks to a series of delays - and in some instances, crumbling evidence - he is yet to be extradited to the US to face the charges. His next hearing is in July. | Since the raid, Dotcom has been mounting a stunning legal and professional comeback. Thanks to a series of delays - and in some instances, crumbling evidence - he is yet to be extradited to the US to face the charges. His next hearing is in July. |
| He has won back his cars, and some of his money. He's started a new company - Mega - which serves largely the same purpose as Megaupload but with tweaked terms and conditions, and better encryption. It's already worth over a hundred million dollars. | |
| More recently, Dotcom made his most unexpected move. He's launching his own political party, with internet-focused policies at its core. | More recently, Dotcom made his most unexpected move. He's launching his own political party, with internet-focused policies at its core. |
| "The Internet Party was born out of that injustice," he tells me. | "The Internet Party was born out of that injustice," he tells me. |
| "I was pulled out of my happy bubble, and my life of creation and innovation. It woke me up to a whole new reality. | "I was pulled out of my happy bubble, and my life of creation and innovation. It woke me up to a whole new reality. |
| "We are about social fairness, we're about freedoms and human rights. We want governments to respect human rights, especially privacy rights. I think it's going to have a broad appeal, internationally." | "We are about social fairness, we're about freedoms and human rights. We want governments to respect human rights, especially privacy rights. I think it's going to have a broad appeal, internationally." |
| Days later, in a speech to some supporters, he'd put his party's mission another way: "The internet is under attack, and we have to save it." | Days later, in a speech to some supporters, he'd put his party's mission another way: "The internet is under attack, and we have to save it." |
| Questionable motives | Questionable motives |
| Kim Schmitz was born in western Germany in 1974. He wouldn't become Kim Dotcom until 2005. | Kim Schmitz was born in western Germany in 1974. He wouldn't become Kim Dotcom until 2005. |
| During his teenage years, he was caught illegally hacking - but made a deal to work "for the good guys" in computer security. A later conviction for insider trading caused him to leave the country altogether. | During his teenage years, he was caught illegally hacking - but made a deal to work "for the good guys" in computer security. A later conviction for insider trading caused him to leave the country altogether. |
| After a brief time in Thailand, Dotcom set up shop in Hong Kong, where he founded Megaupload. Prosecutors say it was with this site that he committed crimes - knowingly allowing, even encouraging, users to upload and share copyrighted content. | After a brief time in Thailand, Dotcom set up shop in Hong Kong, where he founded Megaupload. Prosecutors say it was with this site that he committed crimes - knowingly allowing, even encouraging, users to upload and share copyrighted content. |
| Dotcom's defence is that he shouldn't be held responsible for what users uploaded, and that they removed illegal content when made aware of it. | Dotcom's defence is that he shouldn't be held responsible for what users uploaded, and that they removed illegal content when made aware of it. |
| The removal process was too difficult, say the content creators. Dotcom says it was easy. And so it goes, back and forth, lawyer to lawyer. | The removal process was too difficult, say the content creators. Dotcom says it was easy. And so it goes, back and forth, lawyer to lawyer. |
| His past has gained him a reputation as a country-hopper evading the law. Which is how many Kiwis received him when he was granted residency in 2010: a rich foreigner, using New Zealand as a safe haven. | His past has gained him a reputation as a country-hopper evading the law. Which is how many Kiwis received him when he was granted residency in 2010: a rich foreigner, using New Zealand as a safe haven. |
| But the raid changed all that. | But the raid changed all that. |
| Dotcom was suddenly seen as a man standing up against the government - but more crucially, against the US. Lots of New Zealanders were uncomfortable with the level of influence the US authorities seemingly had over their own government. | Dotcom was suddenly seen as a man standing up against the government - but more crucially, against the US. Lots of New Zealanders were uncomfortable with the level of influence the US authorities seemingly had over their own government. |
| But still, many question Dotcom's motives in New Zealand. Several policies - particularly copyright law reform - seem to certainly be in his business and legal interests. He disagrees. | But still, many question Dotcom's motives in New Zealand. Several policies - particularly copyright law reform - seem to certainly be in his business and legal interests. He disagrees. |
| "There's no personal interest behind it," he says. | "There's no personal interest behind it," he says. |
| "Changing copyright law primarily will solve the problems that the content industry is creating around piracy." | "Changing copyright law primarily will solve the problems that the content industry is creating around piracy." |
| Among his ideas, one proposed law stands out. If a movie studio releases an English-language film elsewhere in the world, it must be released in New Zealand at the same time. | Among his ideas, one proposed law stands out. If a movie studio releases an English-language film elsewhere in the world, it must be released in New Zealand at the same time. |
| "If you don't, and someone can find a pirated version online, well then don't blame that person for downloading it. It's your fault." | "If you don't, and someone can find a pirated version online, well then don't blame that person for downloading it. It's your fault." |
| Gawpers | Gawpers |
| Dotcom's ambitions of power aren't far-fetched. | Dotcom's ambitions of power aren't far-fetched. |
| As a foreigner, he can't run for office himself. But he can choose someone to stand for him. He wants to hold public auditions - a political New Zealand's Got Talent, as it were. | As a foreigner, he can't run for office himself. But he can choose someone to stand for him. He wants to hold public auditions - a political New Zealand's Got Talent, as it were. |
| New Zealand's political system means that minority parties, even new ones, can find themselves with some power by courting the "favourite party" vote - an additional tick voters can place in addition to voting for an individual candidate. | New Zealand's political system means that minority parties, even new ones, can find themselves with some power by courting the "favourite party" vote - an additional tick voters can place in addition to voting for an individual candidate. |
| This system plays nicely into the hands of single-issue groups like Dotcom's - particularly if they team up with others. | This system plays nicely into the hands of single-issue groups like Dotcom's - particularly if they team up with others. |
| Which is why on my second day with the team, I find myself travelling by convoy to the stunning north town of Rotorua, in the north of the country. | Which is why on my second day with the team, I find myself travelling by convoy to the stunning north town of Rotorua, in the north of the country. |
| We were off to meet the Mana Party, a breakaway group from the larger Maori Party. | We were off to meet the Mana Party, a breakaway group from the larger Maori Party. |
| Dotcom is behind the wheel of his beloved Mercedes 4x4 - number plate: "KIM.COM". People honk and wave as we drive past. Whenever we stop, people get out of the cars to say hello. | Dotcom is behind the wheel of his beloved Mercedes 4x4 - number plate: "KIM.COM". People honk and wave as we drive past. Whenever we stop, people get out of the cars to say hello. |
| I can't tell if they are supporters, or just gawpers fascinated at a celebrity they've seen on TV. | I can't tell if they are supporters, or just gawpers fascinated at a celebrity they've seen on TV. |
| "There have been a lot of stories around my persona here in New Zealand over the last two years," he says. "And people are just intrigued." | "There have been a lot of stories around my persona here in New Zealand over the last two years," he says. "And people are just intrigued." |
| "But if all of this intrigue gets me to get them here, and listen to what we're all about, and to get through to them with these ideas... I win." | "But if all of this intrigue gets me to get them here, and listen to what we're all about, and to get through to them with these ideas... I win." |
| On the inviting country roads, he sticks agonisingly to the speed limit. Being caught speeding would be a breach of his bail conditions. Even by Dotcom's standards, ending the day behind bars isn't an ideal day's campaigning. | On the inviting country roads, he sticks agonisingly to the speed limit. Being caught speeding would be a breach of his bail conditions. Even by Dotcom's standards, ending the day behind bars isn't an ideal day's campaigning. |
| Meeting the Maoris | Meeting the Maoris |
| Dotcom wants to convince the Mana members to agree to a merger, giving the parties a really strong chance of winning a couple of seats in September's election. | Dotcom wants to convince the Mana members to agree to a merger, giving the parties a really strong chance of winning a couple of seats in September's election. |
| We arrive in Rotorua to a media circus - a scene which isn't lost on the Mana Party's leader, Hone Harawira. | We arrive in Rotorua to a media circus - a scene which isn't lost on the Mana Party's leader, Hone Harawira. |
| "I am quite sure, that at this moment, all of the media in this country are in this room," he jokes. "To hear what it is that I have to say." | "I am quite sure, that at this moment, all of the media in this country are in this room," he jokes. "To hear what it is that I have to say." |
| With his speech, Dotcom wins them over - the Mana Party voted to open talks to a merger. | With his speech, Dotcom wins them over - the Mana Party voted to open talks to a merger. |
| I can't understand it. What possible common ground could be found between Maoris, who are among the poorest people in New Zealand, and a German multimillionaire harping on about broadband speeds? | I can't understand it. What possible common ground could be found between Maoris, who are among the poorest people in New Zealand, and a German multimillionaire harping on about broadband speeds? |
| I ask Taiaha Hawke, a Maori protocol expert drafted in to make sure Dotcom doesn't accidentally offend anyone. | I ask Taiaha Hawke, a Maori protocol expert drafted in to make sure Dotcom doesn't accidentally offend anyone. |
| "The way we see it," he says, "Anyone who sticks it to 'The Man' like he does is fine by us." | "The way we see it," he says, "Anyone who sticks it to 'The Man' like he does is fine by us." |
| Dotcom's millions will certainly make a useful addition to the Mana Party's campaign funds, too. | Dotcom's millions will certainly make a useful addition to the Mana Party's campaign funds, too. |
| We head back, via KFC, to Dotcom's mansion to see how the day plays out in the evening news bulletins - particularly as a certain well-known British couple are in town. | We head back, via KFC, to Dotcom's mansion to see how the day plays out in the evening news bulletins - particularly as a certain well-known British couple are in town. |
| "Yes!" shouts Dotcom. "We beat the Royals! Awesome!" | "Yes!" shouts Dotcom. "We beat the Royals! Awesome!" |
| 'He is a hero' | 'He is a hero' |
| Polls show that Dotcom's support is growing. He says a lot of his support is thanks to one man - Edward Snowden - and the revelations that shocked the world. | Polls show that Dotcom's support is growing. He says a lot of his support is thanks to one man - Edward Snowden - and the revelations that shocked the world. |
| "To me personally he is a hero... his sacrifice will be remembered as one of the most heroic things of our time. | "To me personally he is a hero... his sacrifice will be remembered as one of the most heroic things of our time. |
| "Single-handedly, he has opened the eyes of the world to an injustice. Because we know about it, we can do something about it." | "Single-handedly, he has opened the eyes of the world to an injustice. Because we know about it, we can do something about it." |
| I point out that if his political aspirations are as successful as he envisions, Dotcom could be in a position to push for Snowden to be given asylum in New Zealand. | I point out that if his political aspirations are as successful as he envisions, Dotcom could be in a position to push for Snowden to be given asylum in New Zealand. |
| "I think that is too far away." | "I think that is too far away." |
| But has he ever spoken to him? | But has he ever spoken to him? |
| "Mm… yes." | "Mm… yes." |
| What about? | What about? |
| "I don't want to go into that." | "I don't want to go into that." |
| Policies in the pool | Policies in the pool |
| The next morning, Dotcom invites all of the Internet Party's members to the mansion for a picnic, and the promise of a "swim with Kim". | The next morning, Dotcom invites all of the Internet Party's members to the mansion for a picnic, and the promise of a "swim with Kim". |
| Situated about an hour outside Auckland, the mansion is hard to miss. The main house is a the bottom of a large hill, and from afar, it looks a little like a tacky medieval-themed hotel. | Situated about an hour outside Auckland, the mansion is hard to miss. The main house is a the bottom of a large hill, and from afar, it looks a little like a tacky medieval-themed hotel. |
| On closer inspection, it's more like a teenager's bed room run riot. Huge televisions at every turn, and a games room decorated with a mural depicting Dotcom and his wife Mona as video game characters. | On closer inspection, it's more like a teenager's bed room run riot. Huge televisions at every turn, and a games room decorated with a mural depicting Dotcom and his wife Mona as video game characters. |
| The logo for Mega can be found all over the property. Cut into the lawn, for example, or placed in the centre of the many stained-glassed windows. | The logo for Mega can be found all over the property. Cut into the lawn, for example, or placed in the centre of the many stained-glassed windows. |
| Depending on your point of view, it's either a vulgar display of flashiness, or Dotcom's way of constantly reminding himself how he earned enough money to find himself living here. | Depending on your point of view, it's either a vulgar display of flashiness, or Dotcom's way of constantly reminding himself how he earned enough money to find himself living here. |
| Around 500 people turn up to the party. A member of Dotcom's team urges him to be in as many selfies as possible to drive engagement on social media. He duly obliges. | Around 500 people turn up to the party. A member of Dotcom's team urges him to be in as many selfies as possible to drive engagement on social media. He duly obliges. |
| In the pool, Dotcom holds court as members chuck policy ideas at him, including the suggestion he should try the name "Kim Dot-org" for a while. | In the pool, Dotcom holds court as members chuck policy ideas at him, including the suggestion he should try the name "Kim Dot-org" for a while. |
| No-one mentions the prospect of Dotcom being sent to jail. At least, not while he's listening. | No-one mentions the prospect of Dotcom being sent to jail. At least, not while he's listening. |
| 'Epic battle' | 'Epic battle' |
| He describes his situation as David vs. Goliath, Godzilla and the dinosaurs. | He describes his situation as David vs. Goliath, Godzilla and the dinosaurs. |
| At six foot seven, Dotcom is an unlikely David. | At six foot seven, Dotcom is an unlikely David. |
| But the pressure keeps coming. Just days before I arrived in New Zealand, both the movie and music industry launched fresh legal action, this time civil action to claim compensation for lost revenue. | But the pressure keeps coming. Just days before I arrived in New Zealand, both the movie and music industry launched fresh legal action, this time civil action to claim compensation for lost revenue. |
| He claims it's evidence that the criminal case is failing. | He claims it's evidence that the criminal case is failing. |
| "Here's the thing. I have the facts on my side. I have the truth on my side. | "Here's the thing. I have the facts on my side. I have the truth on my side. |
| "I will prevail because I am not the criminal that they are trying to make out of me. | "I will prevail because I am not the criminal that they are trying to make out of me. |
| "I'm sleeping really well at night," he adds, talking less to me, and more to himself. | "I'm sleeping really well at night," he adds, talking less to me, and more to himself. |
| "They can throw another dozen lawsuits at me - it will make no difference. In the end, I'm going to prevail. | "They can throw another dozen lawsuits at me - it will make no difference. In the end, I'm going to prevail. |
| "I'm happy. I'm fine." | "I'm happy. I'm fine." |
| It's the most revealing moment of my time with him. | It's the most revealing moment of my time with him. |
| In this beautiful house, and surrounded by a family of young children and his wife, Mona, I think the prospect of jail worries Dotcom more than he lets on. | In this beautiful house, and surrounded by a family of young children and his wife, Mona, I think the prospect of jail worries Dotcom more than he lets on. |
| "I've embraced this fight now and I will see it through all the way. It's going to be an epic battle." | "I've embraced this fight now and I will see it through all the way. It's going to be an epic battle." |
| And it's there we part ways. Dotcom has a meeting to get to. | And it's there we part ways. Dotcom has a meeting to get to. |
| "Lawyers," he sighs. | "Lawyers," he sighs. |
| "I'm always meeting with lawyers." | "I'm always meeting with lawyers." |
| Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC | Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC |