Filesonic, Fileserve Pull File Sharing Services Following Megaupload Arrests

It didn’t take so long after the FBI shut down Megaupload.com and arrested its staff, competitors Filesonic.com and Fileserve.com have made the decision to get rid of all file-sharing functionality from their own services.

All these websites offer users the ability to upload any kind of file to the websites for their own personal storage, but also share a public link to allow others to download the file for free.

As of 23 January, Trying to download any previously shared file from Fileserve results in the error message: “FileServe can only be used to download and retrieve files that you have uploaded personally.” On a similar Filesonic message reads: “All sharing functionality on FileSonic is now disabled. Our service can only be used to upload and retrieve files that you have uploaded personally.“

On the other hand RapidShare, based in Switzerland, has publicly stated that its users needn’t worry: “There is no reason to be concerned,” the site said on its Facebook page. “We aren’t threatened in any way.“

The whole thing comes as Megaupload.com has been shut down by US authorities. Its founders and several of its employees were arrested and charged on counts of copyright infringement, conspiracy to commit money laundering on a massive scale.

The scheme is alleged to have taken half a billion dollars (£320 million) away from copyright holders, while making more than $175 million (£113 million) in proceeds from subscriptions and advertising to non-paying users.

Not to mention Megaupload.com founder, Kim Dotcom also apparently known as MEGARACER, the No. 1 player worldwide in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer. Here’s Dotcom’s video showing him take the No. 1 spot as MEGARACER

[via wired]