The Supreme Court's ruling search warrants used to search Kim Dotcom's home were legal could undermine the internet businessman's claim for compensation.
The warrants were used to seize vast amounts of material held on computer hard drives, along with other property at the mansion.
Police raided the Dotcom mansion in Coatesville in January 2012. Photo: AFP
Some of that material could be crucial evidence in the United States' attempt to extradite Mr Dotcom to stand trial charged with large-scale copyright breaches and money-laundering.
The Court of Appeal ruled earlier this year the warrants used in the 2012 raids had defects but there was no miscarriage of justice.
The Supreme Court has upheld that judgement by a four-to-one majority, finding that although the warrants could have been drafted more precisely, Mr Dotcom and his co-accused were reasonably able to understand what they related to. Chief Justice Sian Elias has issued a dissenting opinion.
Radio New Zealand understands the ruling could affect Mr Dotcom's $6 million compensation claim over the search.
Rather than simply arguing that the search was illegal, he will now have to prove the police used excessive and unnecessary force.
