Megaupload programmer granted bail on the condition internet access is blocked

The head programmer of the Megaupload website, Bram van der Kolk, has been granted bail on the condition internet access is blocked to all members of his household. Van der Kolk and anyone he lives with cannot use, own of have any device with access to internet or associate with any alleged co-offenders. Yesterday, van der Kolk left the North Shore District Court of New Zealand.

Previously, four of the seven employees of Megaupload.com were arrested in New Zealand. They face charges of conspiring to commit racketeering, conspiring to commit money laundering, copyright infringement, and aiding and abetting copyright infringement. On Megaupload.com, users could download and upload movies, music and other digital content. Many of the files appeared to be illegal copies. The website was shut down on January 19, 2012.

The prosecutor said it would be relatively easy for him to set up a similar site once bailed with access to the internet. Therefore he should be refused access to the internet. Van der Kolks lawyer, Guyon Foley, claimed - in vain - the programmer should be allowed access to the internet. Even if he would have access to the internet he could not restart the Megupload site due to the time, amount of data and resources required to do so. Furthermore, the FBI would also closely monitor his client and the suggestion he could set up anything on the internet was "frankly ridiculous".

Reference: New Zealand Herald