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shared by others, as Dotcom had also been doing, and as the number of files grew, and the quality and size of the files increased, an idea began to take shape.

In emails from 2004, Dotcom was writing to Ortmann and van der Kolk of his frustration with the limitations of email. “I said we need to develop some kind of system where we can put large files . . . I'm tired of these email limitations.” Website editors would seek larger file sizes while Dotcom would splice adventures together in a way that reflected his exacting standards.

The technology ceiling constrained Dotcom's ability to distribute racing and other footage. The more he came up against barriers, the more he became determined to innovate around them. There was no viable online alternative. “It was really just a very simple idea. How do I get a file from A to B but surpassing the email limitations? How do I make that happen? So I said, dude, this is so simple — just set up a server, allow people to upload a file and generate a link (to that file).”

It was the simplest of concepts. There was no need for users to copy and send files around the world. The files — no matter what size they were — could stay in one place while the internet link to locate that file could be easily distributed.

“It is so simple,” says Dotcom. “How innocent. There was never a thought this is going to be some abusive thing. The idea was to solve this problem.”

And just like that, the idea of Megaupload was born.

Through the end of 2004, as the idea took hold the team gradually began to form around Dotcom, who had shifted his base to the Phillipines. He had moved around the world, from Australia to Finland and other places, having dramatically turned his back on Germany.

Van der Kolk had been drawn to the country and given a two week-long experiment, to try the Megaupload concept. He was to create a programme which would be the prototype for the eventual website. Ortmann had developed a liking for travel and visited, thanks to a first-class flight bought for the price of an economy fare. The premier seat had a purpose — its higher baggage allowance allowed Ortmann to stock up on hardware in Singapore before traveling on to Manila. He bundled through Changi Airport in Singapore, loaded down with large flatscreen monitors and other kit not available in what he called “the hardware-deprived Philippines”.

The first screen shot taken of the fledgling business is no bigger than a beer coaster. It sits in the centre of the screen and has a space for the email address of the intended recipient of the file the user wants to share. The user enters their email address, the location on their computer of the file they want to send and the email address they want it sent to. Once selected, the file is uploaded to a server where it generates a link — the

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