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Firm stops file sharing after Megaupload case

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Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:37am EST

(Reuters) - FileSonic, a website providing online data storage, has disabled its file sharing services following a U.S.-led crackdown on a rival website and amid heated debate over Washington's attempts to clamp down on online piracy.

Police in New Zealand and Europe have made a number of arrests in recent days related to an investigation led by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Megaupload.com website.

The group have been accused of engaging in a scheme that took more than $500 million away from copyright holders and generated over $175 million in proceeds from subscriptions and advertising. Megaupload's lawyers have said the company simply offered online storage.

FileSonic, which describes itself as the "Unlimited Storage Company," said in a statement on its website that it would only allow users to access their own files.

"All sharing functionality of FileSonic is now disabled. Our service can only be used to upload and retrieve files that you have uploaded personally."

The firm, which lists addresses in Britain and Hong Kong, did not immediately respond to an email sent requesting further comment on the move.

The Megaupload case is being heard as the debate over online piracy reaches fever pitch in Washington where Congress is trying to craft tougher legislation.

(Reporting by Ed Davies in Sydney; Editing by Alex Richardson)
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Comments (1)
roaringwaves wrote:
I am glad to see that some of these virtual-businesses are starting to see the wrong in what they are doing. They are providing a bridge for criminals to cross over. If I knew of a bridge that was being used to smuggle pirated goods over for profit. I would definitely make crossing that bridge a problem for cyber-thieves. If the bridge was uncontrollable, then I would consider a war-like strategy and just simply send the F-15 fighter pilots on an all out ‘destroy-the-entrance-point’ mission, blowing the bridge or bridges to pieces. Plain and simple. This strategy doesn’t not take rocket-science. It only takes common sense. The US Government and the Feds have to develop a war-like strategy when dealing with this elusive and often evasive cyber-criminal. He is the new kid on the block that squirms his/her way through the loopholes of international law as we know it.

Jan 23, 2012 1:50pm EST  --  Report as abuse
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