Judge Steps Down In Kim Dotcom Case
The New Zealand Herald reports that Internet law expert Judge David Harvey has stepped down from hearing the Megaupload extradition case:
The district court's chief judge Jan-Marie Doogue said Judge Harvey had made the decision to step down from hearing the
case.
"He recognises that remarks made in the context of a paper he delivered on copyright law at a recent internet conference
could reflect on his impartiality and that the appropriate response is for him to step down from the case."
Judge Harvey made the comments at NetHui during a conference discussion on copyright and trade talks with the US.
He referred to a tweet which had played on a reference to cartoonist Walt Kelly: "We have met the enemy and he is [the]
U.S."
The case, scheduled for March, would now be heard by Judge Nevin Dawson. Judge Dawson has previously heard elements of
the case including making the decision to allow the internet giant bail in February after a month in jail.
Harvey's remark was made at the launch of the Fair Deal coalition, which was formed at Nethui to highlight proposed copyright changes under the TPPA trade agreement.
Background link:
National Business Review report on the launch highlighting Harvey's remark.
Science Media Centre podcast (go to 11min 10 sec)
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