The MPAA shocked everybody last week when they said they would be fine with Megaupload users getting access to their legitimate files. They wouldn’t help those people get back their data, but they wouldn’t be opposed to them getting it back either. Too bad the United States doesn’t want them getting back any data whatsoever.
CNET got their hands on documents that U.S. filed in regards to the Megaupload case. The documents deal with the case of Kyle Goodwin, the poster boy for legitimate Megaupload users who were harmed by the takedown in January. The U.S. says that giving Goodwin his files back would set a bad precedent.
Why would a man getting back his legitimate content set a bad precedent? The U.S. believes that granting Goodwin his request would allow anybody to petition the courts whenever a search warrant adversely affects them. The U.S. is essentially saying that Goodwin’s data was collateral damage and that he has no right to petition for its return.
The U.S. has another far more ridiculous reason for not returning Goodwin his data as well. They feel that giving Goodwin his data back would allow Megaupload to retrieve data that they need to formulate a defense. The MPAA, in their statement, also said that any solution that would get legitimate users their data back would need to prevent Megaupload from getting any data from it.
The U.S. isn’t completely devoid of sympathy for the man who lost all of his recorded videos of high sporting events that was the core of his business. The government suggests that Goodwin just sue Megaupload and Carpathia for restitution instead.
It’s absolutely mind blowing that the U.S. would suggest that Goodwin sue these two companies when the fault of his losing data falls squarely on the backs of the U.S. for illegally seizing Megaupload’s servers. The U.S. court in the case may soon throw out the case due to the numerous flaws in the government’s argument against the file sharing company. If that happens, Goodwin may have a chance at suing the U.S. government for destroying his data in an illegal seizure.
The Megaupload saga just keeps on getting more interesting. We’ll keep you updated on any developments in the case. I feel like we’re almost at the end where the court will either upheld the government’s accusations or drop the case over what has been a bumbled attack on a foreign company outside of U.S. jurisdiction.
