We’re not even two weeks into the aftermath of the Megaupload shutdown, but the saga seems to unfold with a new angle or detail everyday. From Kim Dotcom’s colorful personal life to questions about the fate of non-infringing data uploaded by former Megaupload users, this story is far from over.
However, if the company’s lawyers don’t manage to mount a convincing defense, Megaupload itself could disappear forever. It’s too soon to tell, but in the meantime, we thought we’d take a look at some key dates and data points in the history of Megaupload.
Founded in 2005, Megaupload grew to be a massive and incredibly controversial site over the years. Estimates vary as to its actual traffic and user base, but suffice it to say that the service was huge. The controversy didn’t start on January 19, 2012 when New Zealand police raided Kim Dotcom’s mansion and arrested several Megaupload executives. Prior to that, the company had faced copyright lawsuits, a Google AdSense blockade and country-wide bans outside the U.S.
(Click on the infographic to enlarge it.)
