Big car, big chair, big black outfit means a grand entrance at court for America's target.

Ron Mansfield said Megaupload was effectively an internet service provider and as such, under the Copyright Act, could not be prosecuted.

Kim Dotcom goes to court today for an extradition hearing almost four years in the making, even as the Government continues to mull over deporting him anyway. The long-awaited extradition case follows FBI charges laid in January 2012 when the internet entrepreneur and three others were arrested on charges of criminal copyright violation.

Nearly four years after black-clad police rappelled into his mansion, flamboyant entrepreneur may finally be about to face the music.

On the eve of his awaited court battle to fight extradition to the US, Dotcom says being separated from his young family is the thing he dreads the most.

When the Megaupload extradition case finally comes to court next week, one defendant 'facing a death sentence' will attempt a fight for his freedom and his family.

When the Megaupload extradition case finally comes to court next week, one defendant will cut a solitary figure among the banks of lawyers.

Taxpayers have invested a "colossal" 29,344 hours of legal work into the Megaupload and Kim Dotcom legal cases - equivalent to $5.8 million in fees.

Managers of the nation's finances were kept at arm's length when the Kim Dotcom case required Kiwi taxpayers to underwrite a potential future legal suit, new document shows.

The Megaupload co-accused have again sought to delay their extradition fight, claiming natural justice has been denied.

It follows accusations from estranged founder Kim Dotcom claiming the company suffered a hostile takeover.

Auckland lawyer Jesse Nguy and investor John Sorensen appointed directors of the file storage and encryption firm.

The Attorney-General has been ordered to issue new directions to the police regarding sending the seized devices to the US.

Shen Zhao Wu ceased being a director after sitting on the software developer's board for just over a year.

The case is playing out in the Court of Appeal with the Crown arguing for the release of cloned devices and passwords.

The company filed a new constitution which added specific provisions for listing on the NZX.

Dotcom has won an interim reprieve from having his assets seized by the Crown and passed on to US authorities.

The Attorney-General has launched a Court of Appeal bid to send Kim Dotcom's computers to the US.

Mega has rebutted claims that it profits from content theft calling the allegations defamatory.

A deal for an NZX listing for Mega has fallen through because of delays in gaining approval from the listed shell company TRS.

Kim Dotcom may get a small reprieve in his deportation case.

Kim Dotcom and three of his Megaupload associates have had their extradition hearing date delayed to September.

The most senior Crown lawyer in the country maintains that while Kim Dotcom's evidence against John Banks has changed since the first trial, the story remains the same in one crucial respect.

Lorde has responded to a story detailing the "hijinks and hazing" behind the recording of Kim Dotcom's album Good Times, calling it "bonkers".

One of those sought for extradition alongside Kim Dotcom has turned up at a key hearing without a lawyer and the court told an application for legal aid has been made.

Kim Dotcom's ability to stay in New Zealand will be decided by Immigration minister Michael Woodhouse and could come inside a month.

The Court of Appeal has now ordered a new hearing after Mr Banks' lawyer David Jones, QC, filed an application to recall its ruling in October.

A United States court has delivered another legal setback to Kim Dotcom with the United States Government winning a civil forfeiture case against the mogul.

Exclusive: John Banks is seeking to have a second trial for filing a false electoral return thrown out after the discovery of evidence which the Crown failed to disclose to his QC.