Virtual worlds are being put to serious real-world uses- and are starting to encounter some real-wprld problems.

 Economist_Technology_Quarterly_December_2007.pdf (660.71 KB)

Though players' movements and interactions in virtual games are limited to the online realm, their transactions may intersect more closely with the "real" world than either they or lawmakers realize, a panel of high-tech lawyers suggested Aug. 11 at the American Bar Association's annual meeting.

 BNA_August_2007.pdf (100.15 KB)

Software firm MindArk, creators of Entropia Universe, is on the verge of re-releasing automated teller machine-style cards that allow players to access real dollars directly from their virtual world accounts, something consultants say will make them an attractive venue for criminals to launder illicit cash.

 moneylaundering.com_November_2007 .pdf (106.86 KB)

Jorge Romero could face three years in prison for uploading four "24" episodes before they aired on Fox in January. Federal authorities on Friday charged the 24- year-old Chicago man with leaking the material; he is not accused of originating the material online.

 TechNewsWorld_June_2007.pdf (114.76 KB)

Asset Creation, Seclusion And Money Laundering in The Virtual World: It’s a Real Problem That Could Easily Get Worse

 Ecommerce_Newsletter_August_2006.pdf (170.87 KB)

As more and more people take up residence in the virtual world  sometimes also called digital or synthetic worlds  through their participation in one of the many "Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games" (MMPORGs) currently available online, the potential for monetary abuse and malfeasance also increases.

 NJ_Law_Journal_November_2006.pdf (66.32 KB)

I've been wondering what would happen if there were drug dealers or terrorists lurking in virtual worlds such as Second Life. If the FBI or National Security Agency wanted to place wiretaps on conversations in those worlds, would they be able to do it? And if they did record conversations in virtual worlds, could the people spied upon escape prosecution by saying that they were only pretending to be terrorists or drug dealers?

 The_Mercury_News_October_2007.pdf (100.32 KB)

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales wants to crack down on pirates with his proposed Intellectual Property Protection Act of 2007, which includes penalties for attempts to infringe on copyrights. "IP theft is not a technicality, and its victims are not just faceless corporations -- it is stealing, and it affects us all," Gonzales said.

 Ecommerce_Times_May_2007.pdf (89.73 KB)

An appeals court has given Google a victory in its decision to lift an injunction against the search giant that prevented it from displaying thumbnails of images owned by the adult site Perfect 10. Perfect 10 sued Google in 2004 for copyright infringement in 2004, arguing that it links to Web sites that republish Perfect 10 images illegally.

 TechNewsWorld_May_2007.pdf (97.80 KB)

The Software Freedom Law Center has filed a lawsuit against Monsoon Multimedia on behalf of two principal developers of the company BusyBox. "Free software licenses such as the GPL exist to protect the freedom of computer users. If we don't ensure that these licenses are respected, then they will not be able to achieve their goal," said Eben Moglen, founding director of SFLC.

 LinuxInsider_September_2007.pdf (106.96 KB)

Chinese authorities and the FBI worked together to seize more than 290,000 counterfeit software CDs and certificates of authenticity valued at $500 million. The officials also arrested 25 people. The uncovered pirated software included Symantec and Microsoft products.

 Ecommerce_Times_July_2007.pdf (101.17 KB)

SECOND LIFE, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Jeanie Shields sold a plot of virtual land worth almost US$500
for less than a penny, and she blames Linden Lab.

 Reuters_October_ 2007.pdf (96.96 KB)

Players in Second Life break plenty of physical laws, flying and teleporting around their virtual world and crafting made-to-order bodies and buildings. Federal laws, however, aren't so flexible.

 Forbes.com_July_27_2007.pdf (74.88 KB)

It should be a place where anything goes, but vandals and lawyers are spoiling the fun.

 New_Scientist _September_2007.pdf (777.03 KB)

Linden Lab clamped down on Monday on use of its logo by third parties, and introduced a new brand for people and companies to promote their connection to Second Life

 Reuters_March_2008.pdf (95.84 KB)

A crossword dustup is forming on the social networking site Facebook. The makers of Scrabble have launched an official Facebook application that serves as an online version of the game. Problem is, the unofficial Scrabulous already is one of the most popular apps on Facebook. The two are likely headed for a showdown.

 TechNewsWorld_April_2008.pdf (108.79 KB)

No one can know exactly how courts will deal with the issues, but make no mistake: virtual world activities have real world consequences.

 Virtual_Worlds_Synthetic_Crimes_Digital Economies.pdf (688.73 KB)