Just hours after Twitter announced its new two-step verification process, the controversial founder of Megaupload, Kim Dotcom, claimed Thursday that he actually invented the authentication system and holds a patent for it. Rather than threaten legal action against companies using his intellectual property, Dotcom asked Facebook, Google and Twitter to fund his continuing legal battle with the U.S. government.

Dotcom backed up his claim with a patent that dates back to 1998 from a Kim Schmitz, Dotcom’s birth name. The patent, titled “Method for authorizing in data transmission systems,” describes a verification process very similar to the one just implemented by Twitter.

Dotcom tweeted that he never wanted to sue anyone for using his ideas, but may reconsider given his current conflict with the U.S. government. Dotcom is involved in several legal cases, and tweeted that his defense will cost more than $50 million, and he asked Google, Facebook and Twitter to help him.

DMCA refers to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Two-step verification involves registering a trusted communication source, like a private cell phone, with a service or website. When a user logs in, the service sends a message containing a password to that private device and requires the user to enter that password. The idea is that the extra verification deters unauthorized access to online accounts.

Recently, hackers have accessed several high-profile Twitter accounts with email phishing scams, prompting serious questions about Twitter’s lack of security. One attack on the Associated Press resulted in a few minutes of panic and even a brief stock market crash.

Dotcom also pointed out the irony that while Twitter is using his patented verification system, it won’t verify his Twitter account. He even offered to make them a deal.

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