MegaUpload arrests prompt FileSonic to disable user file sharing

An online storage service, FileSonic, has disabled file sharing between users following the takedown of the MegaUpload service for alleged copyright infringement violations.

The company, which lists corporate offices in Hong Kong and the UK, ran a banner on the front page of its website saying: "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 Friday, New Zealand law enforcement officials arrested MegaUpload founder Kim Dotcom and several other people wanted by US prosecutors for allegedly profiting from the distribution of copyrighted content without proper permission.

FileSonic offers a free service that allows users to upload up to 10 GB of data for up to 30 days and throttles the speed at which the material can be uploaded or downloaded. Its subscription service, which starts at $9 per month, lets users upload unlimited files up to 5 GB in size with no time limits or speed throttling.

The company says on its website that it has a "zero tolerance" policy for copyright infringement and says it will promptly respond to complaints made under the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The antipiracy law sets guidelines for service providers and copyright holders.

FileSonic is using Vobile's vCloud9 product to examine uploaded content to see if material under copyright protection is being illegally stored, it said in a news release last month. Compressed files can also be examined using vCloud9.

Efforts to reach FileSonic officials on Monday were unsuccessful.