Megaupload data is saved

A JUDGE HAS RULED that the imperiled Megaupload data should be preserved, for the time being at least.

The decision was made on Friday and was welcomed by the Megaupload legal team that is fighting to protect the material for the users and so they can have a look at the evidence that exists on Megaupload's servers.

Judge Liam O'Grady said that lawyers from both sides should start mediation sessions and try to work out an agreement about whether to archive or delete the information. This will give the data a stay and protect legitimate users from losing their content. The news was welcomed by Megaupload's lead counsel, Ira Rothken.

Megaupload is pleased with the Judge's ruling in US in favor of server data preservation and ordering conference with experienced Magistrate

— Ira Rothken (@rothken) April 13, 2012

The servers that host the material are leased from Carpathia Hosting. That firm has been somewhat lumbered with them and reckons that it is costing around $9,000 a day just to keep them ticking over.

Megaupload has offered to take the financial burden back, but of course it has its money frozen, meaning that it is not in a position to do so. The other alternative is that the government pays to support the servers, but it is resisting that option. µ