Nov 06 00:29:24 <xxxxxxx]> I was invited to a conference about law in online worlds. 200 lawyers abd 5 game developers in a room. Felt like I was in a terrorist training camp.
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Nov 06 00:30:28 <xxxxxxx]> Anyway, the conference explored all areas of law as it (will) relate to online worlds.
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Nov 06 00:31:48 <xxxxxxx]> And the thing that I was >shocked< at, was that the lawyers are assuming that of course the RL law is going to regulate online worlds, the question is just "what sort of regulation is best?"
Nov 06 00:32:42 <xxxxxxx]> Second Life was used as an example quite a bit...
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Nov 06 00:33:46 <xxxxxxx]> And it's sort of easier for them (the lawyers) to make a case for regulating a world like that, because it's more a place people "live", instead of a game that presents challenges, and that you try to win.
Nov 06 00:34:11 <xxxxxxx]> So, what kind of regulation? ...
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Nov 06 00:34:47 <xxxxxxx]> Well, suppose a bug in the software causes you to lose an in-game item that you bought on ebay for $1000.
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Nov 06 00:35:42 <xxxxxxx]> And assume the rules of the game say you're not allowed to sell items, and you're an idiot if you paid $1000 for a pretend sword.
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Nov 06 00:36:36 <xxxxxxx]> Well, under one theory of law that doesn't matter, you can sue the game company (and win) because the item has RL value, regardless of what the game company says.
Nov 06 00:37:26 <xxxxxxx]> Hate speech is another opportunity for players to sue developers. (Failure to censor those engaging in hate speech)
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Nov 06 00:30:28 <xxxxxxx]> Anyway, the conference explored all areas of law as it (will) relate to online worlds.
..
Nov 06 00:31:48 <xxxxxxx]> And the thing that I was >shocked< at, was that the lawyers are assuming that of course the RL law is going to regulate online worlds, the question is just "what sort of regulation is best?"
Nov 06 00:32:42 <xxxxxxx]> Second Life was used as an example quite a bit...
..
Nov 06 00:33:46 <xxxxxxx]> And it's sort of easier for them (the lawyers) to make a case for regulating a world like that, because it's more a place people "live", instead of a game that presents challenges, and that you try to win.
Nov 06 00:34:11 <xxxxxxx]> So, what kind of regulation? ...
..
Nov 06 00:34:47 <xxxxxxx]> Well, suppose a bug in the software causes you to lose an in-game item that you bought on ebay for $1000.
..
Nov 06 00:35:42 <xxxxxxx]> And assume the rules of the game say you're not allowed to sell items, and you're an idiot if you paid $1000 for a pretend sword.
..
Nov 06 00:36:36 <xxxxxxx]> Well, under one theory of law that doesn't matter, you can sue the game company (and win) because the item has RL value, regardless of what the game company says.
Nov 06 00:37:26 <xxxxxxx]> Hate speech is another opportunity for players to sue developers. (Failure to censor those engaging in hate speech)