Employees of the online file storage service Megaupload discussed widespread copyright infringement on the site in internal communications released Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice. Evidence released by the DOJ to comply with a November order by Judge Liam O’Grady of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia shows multiple conversations about the scope of copyright infringement on the site.
The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed evidence Friday in its case against Megaupload and the website’s principals that includes email excerpts showing they knowingly engaged in copyright infringement on a massive scale in order to make money. The FBI shut down Megaupload.com in January 2012. U.S. law enforcement officials allege the website generated more than $175 million in revenue frompiracy — including $150 million in subscription fees — and caused more than $500 million in damages to copyright holders.
