Megaupload shut down by US feds, 7 charged

Megaupload taken down

Megaupload.com, one of the world's largest file-sharing sites, has been taken down by the United States federal government. Seven people and two corporations associated with the site were charged with copyright infringement and other crimes.

The U.S. Justice Department said the individuals and companies were indicted for "running an international organized criminal enterprise allegedly responsible for massive worldwide online piracy of numerous types of copyrighted works, through Megaupload.com and other related sites, generating more than $175 million in criminal proceeds and causing more than half a billion dollars in harm to copyright owners."

It added that the action is "among the largest criminal copyright cases ever brought by the United States."

Four of MegaUpload's operators, including the site's founder Kim Dotcom, have been arrested in New Zealand, while three other defendants remain at large. If convicted they reportedly could face a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Not listed on the indictment is rapper Swizz Beatz who is the CEO of MegaUpload according to a New York Post report. Beatz is the husband of pop singer Alicia Keys.

Ira Rothken, an attorney for MegaUpload, said in an interview that he is yet to read the entire indictment.

"Our initial impression is that the allegations are without merit and MegaUpload is going to vigorously contest them," he said. "We have deep concerns over due process and assets being taken without the opportunity for a hearing."

According to latest reports, a hacker group called Anonymous launched a cyber attack that at least temporarily brought down the websites of the Justice Department, Recording Industry Association of America, Motion Picture Association of America and Universal Music Group in response to Megaupload's indictment.