File-sharing site Megaupload.com founder, Kim Dotcom has revealed a plan to open a new online storage service called Mega, replacing his banned file-sharing website Megaupload.
The new service will give users direct control and responsibility over their files and designed to avoid the US laws under which he faces prosecution for alleged copyright violations.
Megaupload was shut down by US officials in January this year, following allegations of piracy.
The new service, which is the follow-up to Megaupload, will be launched in January next year, just before Dotcom is scheduled to face an extradition hearing to the US where he and other Megaupload operators face prosecution.
The new cloud-based service will allow users to upload, store and share photos, text files, music and films, encrypt those files and grant access using decryption keys.
Unlike the Megaupload.com, Mega will not use US-based hosting companies as partners which will allow it sidestep US laws and avoid any crackdown by US authorities.
Doctom was quoted bu Reuters as saying that, "The new Mega will not be threatened by US prosecutors."
"The new Mega avoids any dealings with US hosters, US domains and US backbone providers and has changed the way it operates to avoid another takedown," Doctom said.
Dotcom, earlier this month, had revealed plans to launch a music based service called Megabox and is already working to launch the new site soon.
US prosecutors accused the site of inflicting copyright holders with losses over $500m, while the company generated $175m in revenues.
Earlier this month, US District Judge Liam O’Grady in Alexandria, Virginia has turned down an appeal from Doctom to dismiss copyright infringement charges against the site.
In September this year, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key had apologised to Dotcom for the illegaly intercepting personal communications by the government agencies leading to his arrest.
