Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom returns to court.<br/> <br />The alleged internet pirate has been in custody since his arrest in a military style raid last month carried out by New Zealand police acting on a U.S. warrant.<br/> <br />But on Wednesday an Auckland court granted him bail, freeing him from jail but effectively placing him under house arrest and banning him from using the internet.<br/> <br />The verdict was a blow to U.S. crime fighters who had wanted to keep Dotcom behind bars.<br/> <br />The 38 year old German - who has New Zealand residency - said he was looking forward to being back with his family.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) KIM DOTCOM:<br/> <br />"I'm relieved to go home and see my three little kids and my pregnant wife."<br/> <br />Prosecutors say Dotcom was the ringleader of a group that netted 175 million US dollars since 2005 by copying and distributing music and movies without authorisation through website megaupload.com.<br/> <br />Dotcom's lawyers though say the company simply offered online storage and strenuously denies the U.S. charges.<br/> <br />Simon Hanna, Reuters. .
