On Monday, it seemed that Megaupload user data could be deleted from storage servers as soon as February 2. Now it seems that Megaupload's attorney has worked out a deal that will buy a little bit of time before all the data is deleted.
Carpathia Hosting Inc. and Cogent Communications Group Inc. own the servers that all Megaupload data is stored on. Due to all of the companies top people being either locked up or out on bail, the hosting companies haven't exactly been paid for their services. This issue of non payment was originally what was pushing them to delete all user data.
Megaupload's attorney Ira Rothken has now worked out a deal with the two companies responsible for managing the servers, which buys a little time, specifically two weeks, before all the data is deleted.
"The hosting companies have been gracious enough to provide additional time so we can work out some kind of arrangement with the government," Rothken said.
Rothken is still in talks with the government over the final fate of the user data. He believes the data is crucial to the defense of Megaupload (and its top managers). Rothken is arguing that if that data is deleted, he would be losing a crucial piece of his defense case.
It's going to cost money to keep the third-party server owners from deleting all of that data. With all of Megaupload's assets seized, it isn't clear exactly where the funds to keep the servers operational would come from. Hopefully some kind of solution can be worked out so all of this data isn't deleted before the case against Megaupload is over.
