Kim Dotcom's extradition case has been delayed eight months, putting the date back until August.

The Megaupload founder will appear in court on August 12 with a court set to decide whether he needs to return to the U.S. to face a range of internet piracy charges.

Given Dotcom's initial arrest in January this year, the case will have surpassed eighteen months by the time a decision is made, with the decision potentially stretched further depending on appeals.

The ongoing saga has heaped embarrassment on government officials in New Zealand, who spied on Dotcom without knowing he was a Kiwi resident.

Since the incident Prime Minister John Key, along with the Government Communications Security Bureau, have battled with criticism over their handling of the case.

Upon hearing the spying details concerning him were to be made public, Dotcom took to Twitter two weeks ago to celebrate the news, tweeting:

“The truth will come out, in court."