The United States is determined to go ahead with its attempt to extradite Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom to face trial on what is claimed to be a conspiracy to commit the biggest-ever breach of copyright.
United States Attorney General Eric Holder told the Herald today the extradition case set for August would proceed as any other would.
"Our request [for extradition] is still a live one and we have a vibrant, effective extradition treaty with New Zealand and our expectation would be that anyone who we seek to extradite pursuant to the terms of that treaty would be extradited, as anyone New Zealand sought to extradite from the United States would be treated in the same way. I think that's how we have to look at it, this is just normal business."
The treaty had been used many times.
Mr Holder rejected claims Hollywood studios coerced the Obama administration to take down Megaupload in return for political funding and support.