Megaupload.com asked for dismissal of US criminal charges that the file-sharing website illegally distributed copyrighted movies and music in a $175 million copyright conspiracy.

Megaupload Limited, as a foreign corporation without offices in the US, can’t be prosecuted for violations of the country’s law, the company said in a filing in federal court in Virginia.

“In short, a corporation such as Megaupload cannot be brought within the jurisdiction of this court for criminal proceedings absent its consent,” the company said in court papers.

Megaupload.com and founder Kim Dotcom were indicted in what US prosecutors dubbed a “Mega Conspiracy” involving the exchange of pirated film, music, book and software files. The company and Dotcom were charged with multiple criminal copyright and wire fraud counts, according to a revised indictment issued in February. Dotcom faces as long as 20 years in prison for each of the racketeering and money-laundering charges in the indictment.

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