5 May 2012

Dotcom may sue Crown

1:46 pm on 5 May 2012

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom is considering suing the Crown after a judge ruled his assets were seized unlawfully.

Luxury goods and investments were taken from Mr Dotcom in January when he was arrested in relation to an internet piracy case.

A High Court judge ruled in March the restraining order used to seize the assets was null and void because it was the wrong kind of order.

While another restraining order allowing the bulk of the assets to remain frozen has since been upheld, in court the judge said Mr Dotcom could sue over the mistake.

Lawyer William Akel says his client is assessing his options, in particular whether to pursue a claim for a breach of the Bill of Rights, with regard to the unlawful seizure of property.

Megaupload was indicted in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on 19 January and the site was then shut down. Mr Dotcom and three others were arrested in Auckland, New Zealand, the following day.