Megaupload, Popular File-Sharing Website, Shut Down

By Amir Khan: Subscribe to Amir's

January 19, 2012 3:08 PM EST

Megaupload, a popular online download file-hosting site, was shut down on Thursday by the U.S. Government, The Associated Press reported. The Hong-King based site, established in 2005, allows users to upload and download files, and has frequently been accused of assisting in music, video, and other types of piracy.

Federal prosecutors have charged Megaupload's founder, and others, with violating piracy laws. The indictment accused Megaupload of costing copyright holders $500 million in lost revenues from pirated material. Megaupload has denied that accusation, saying they are diligent in responding to DMCA takedown notices, according to the AP.

With 81 million unique visitors, Megaupload is the  72nd most visited website on the internet, according to Alexa.  The founder, Kim Schwartz, known better as Kim Dotcom, also runs Megavideo, which allows users to watch uploaded videos. That site was also taken down.

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail:
To contact the editor, e-mail:

This article is copyrighted by International Business Times, the business news leader
Sponsor Link:
Join the Conversation

Popular Multimedia

IBTimes TV
More

73 yr Old Becomes Oldest Woman to Climb Mount Everest

Most Viewed

1 2 3
  1. IMG TXT
    Video of Parents Locking Child in Washing Machine Goes Viral
  2. IMG TXT
    Facebook Shares Fall Sharply in Morning Trade Following Shaky IPO
  3. IMG TXT
    Existing Home Sales Jump, World Banks Lowers China Forecast, Euro Prepares for Greek Exit
  1. IMG TXT
    Police Use Batons Against Protesters, Including Women, in India
  2. IMG TXT
    Fired for Being Too Busty, Lingerie Temp Will Sue
  3. IMG TXT
    Facebook Shares Drop Sharply Again, Leaving More Unanswered Questions
  1. IMG TXT
    SpaceX Dragon Flies past the International Space Station
  2. IMG TXT
    Introducing the World’s Richest Woman Gina Rinehart
  3. IMG TXT
    Wall Street Rebounds as Apple Gains and Investors Dump Facebook
Most Read
  1. Absinthe jailbreakiOS 5.1.1 Untethered Jailbreak Released: How To Use Absinthe 2.0 On iPhone 4S, iPad 3, iPod Touch And More [VIDEO]
  2. How To Root Samsung Galaxy S3 [Tutorial]How To Root Samsung Galaxy S3 [Tutorial]
  3. iPhone 5 Rumors: Apple Testing 3.95-Inch Prototypes Internally [REPORT]Reasons Why iPhone 5 Will Have 4-Inch Display
  4. YahooYahoo Kills Livestand; Focus Shifts to Mobile Products
  5. Galaxy S 3 Specs and Features' Top Five Potential Problems

Global Markets
Existing Home Sales Jump, World Banks Lowers China Forecast, Euro Prepares for Greek Exit

Recommended for you
Close
  1. Absinthe jailbreakiOS 5.1.1 Untethered Jailbreak Released: How To Use Absinthe 2.0 On iPhone 4S, iPad 3, iPod Touch And More [VIDEO]
  2. iOS 5.1.1 Untethered Jailbreak: How To Use ‘Rocky Racoon 5.1.1’ To Covert iOS 5.1.1 Tethered Jailbreak To UntetherediOS 5.1.1 Untethered Jailbreak: How To Use 'Rocky Racoon 5.1.1' To Convert iOS 5.1.1 Tethered Jailbreak To Untethered [VIDEO]