Protecting Virtual Assests in the Real World
Today's Washington Post has a moderately interesting article entitled "Where Real Money Meets Virtual Reality, The Jury is Still Out." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/25/AR2006122500635.html The article begins by documenting the fears of a participant in the Second Life "online society" that the value of her virtual wares (hot designer fashions) would be diminished by a rogue "copybot" that indiscriminately copies the unique garments. This designer is said to have make $60,000 a year from her business -- although it's completely unclear if that it is "virtual dollars" or "real dollars." The article quotes a law professor who informs us the law is unsettled in this area. We're told Judge Richard Posner "visited" Second Life and suggested that it was important to ensure property rights in the virtual space. I take that to mean he's got a book coming out the subject in the near future.
1 comment:
Second Life is bound to lose some appeal as legal issues and people just looking to cash in cause this virtual world to converge on the real world. I will admit that the space does appear to have some potential as a corporate testing ground for product launches and for interacting with obsessive brand supporters. As for selling virtual assets, I am unable to grasp the value of a virtual ice cream cone or designer garment for your avatar.
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