The popular rapper/producer was one of the stars who endorsed MegaUpload in public, and he reportedly recruited several artists for the Mega Song promotion.

Beatz, real name Kasseem Dean, is married to R&B superstar Alicia Keys. He won his first Grammy Award in 2011 with Jay Z for the song “On To The Next One.”

But despite his strong ties to Megaupload, Beatz was not named in the indictment as a member of the “Mega Conspiracy.” However, now that the case is progressing, Beatz is being involved by the U.S. authorities.

In the most recent filing the U.S. opposes Megaupload’s motion to dismiss based on a lack of jurisdiction. The defense team argued that Megaupload can’t be subjected to a criminal prosecution, because the law doesn’t allow foreign companies to be served. However, the U.S. disagrees.

United States Attorney Neil MacBride sums up a variety of reasons why it can, and in a footnote it is mentioned that Megaupload previously employed two CEOs living in the U.S.

“After Defendant Dotcom became Defendant Megaupload’s Chief Innovation Officer, the company appears to have employed at least two Chief Executive Officers in the United States: first David Robb and then Kasseem David Dean (also known as Swizz Beatz),” the filing reads.

MacBride goes on to state that Beatz officially represented Megaupload before the United States Trade Representative, when it was accused of being a piracy haven December last year. In addition, the authorities have requested Beatz’s cooperation with the Megaupload investigation, which he has refused.

“Mr. Dean through counsel has refused to cooperate with the government’s investigation,” the United States Attorney writes.

Voluntarily or not, the U.S. authorities believe Beatz may become involved in the case since they view him as one of the individuals through which they can serve the company.

“Delivering a summons to Mr. Dean, a resident of the United States, in his capacity as apparent Chief Executive Officer should also constitute proper service of process upon an officer of the company,” the filing reads.

Whether the above will help to overcome the jurisdiction issues, and the fact that foreign companies can’t be served, is now for the courts to decide.

A few months ago District Court Judge O’Grady already acknowledged that this “issue” warrants further investigation, suggesting that it could be the beginning of the end for the Megaupload case. A case that just got even more high-profile now Swizz Beatz has been dragged into it.

Source: TorrentFreak, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing and anonymous VPN services.

A few days ago MegaUpload surprised friends and foes by listing rapper/producer Swizz Beatz as CEO. Beatz is not named in the indictment which was made on January the 5th, which may have saved him.

Beatz was one of the stars who endorsed MegaUpload in public, and he reportedly recruited several artists for the Mega Song promotion.

Beatz, whose real name is Kasseem Dean, is married to R&B superstar Alicia Keys, and won his first Grammy Award in 2011 with Jay Z for the song “On To The Next One.” Aside from working at MegaUpload, Beatz is also producing Dr. Dre’s highly anticipated third studio album Detox.

Beatz’s appointment connected MegaUpload to many of the biggest musicians in the business. This could have come in handy as MegaUpload founder Kim Dotcom was working on a plan to crush the major “dinosaur” labels, who he says are not giving musicians what they deserve.

Mega’s competing music venture is/was called Megabox, a site that would soon allow artists to sell their creations directly to consumers. And unlike the traditional record deals where artists get only a fraction of the revenue, with Megabox the musicians would get to keep 90% of earnings.

Needles to say, the raids and arrests today delayed this plan.

Source: TorrentFreak, for the latest info on copyright, file-sharing and anonymous VPN services.