Megaupload founder awaiting extradition

Megaupload.com founder Kim Dotcom is awaiting extradition to the US after the country requested New Zealand authorities detain him, pending a formal extradition request.

Dotcom, a dual citizen of Germany and Finland who changed his name from Schmitz, was detained on charges of copyright infringement conspiracy, according to Bloomberg.

Police also arrested a Dutch citizen who lives in New Zealand and two German nationals. The case will be the first time extradition on copyright offenses has been tested in any international court, according to New Zealand legal experts. Dotcom is wanted in the US on charges that his file-sharing website, which enabled the exchange of pirated films and music, is part of a $175m five-year copyright infringement conspiracy.