After the closure of the popular online storage portal, caused by the widespread exchange of pirated files through its servers, it is perhaps appropriate to look out the window on the web, and make some considerations on the short-term effects of this operation (all details on the so-called “megaupload crackdown” operation are available on the FBI’s website, at the following address: http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/justice-department-charges-leaders-of-megaupload-with-widespread-online-copyright-infringement).
Undeniable are the effects of its closure in respect to copyright protection, as testified by the many statements of satisfaction from national and international copyright Majors; after the fall of such giant, also, several aggressive Megaupload.com competitors, once  exercising similar activities (i.e. Fileserve.com and Filesonic.com), spontaneously decided to suspend their activities, falling back on more strictly legal positions, basically allowing the download of a file only to the user that uploaded it, and, in some cases even closing their servers in the USA. In addition, those competitors who continued to allow file-sharing are beginning to be more sensitive, when it comes to reports of illegal material on their servers: it is clear that to build a reputation as much as possible different from that Chinese/New Zealander giant, all companies offering online storage space, notwithstanding their contractual responsibility provisions (they generally leave full responsibility on the user for the files he/she uploads), will certainly utilize a lot more their power to remove files / accounts, when they receive detailed complaints. Meanwhile, today, authoritative press (http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2142123/megaupload-deleted) reports the FBI to have already ordered removal of personal data and illegal files from the company servers confiscated on American soil, and that “legit” users are already on a war footing against such decision.
It’s too early to say what effects this new equilibrium will create in the long period, but we’ll keep an eye on the situation and keep you posted.