Courts could set precedents as cases arise from the virtual world. South Korean courts, for instance, have done so a number of times in dealing with virtual property; in contrast, U.S. courts have shied away from the issue. The scope of the online realm suggests that legislation may be desirable. Virtual commerce is worth about $1 billion annually and is set to get bigger as the six- to 12-year-olds on Club Penguin and other virtual games grow up. Lastowka and Duranske think society is headed toward a virtual Internet that, Duranske says, “is going to be a major revolution in the way we interact.” Whether the law can keep pace with that revolution remains to be seen.
Note: This article was originally printed with the title, "Avatar Acts."
This article was originally published with the title Avatar Acts.
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4 Comments
Add CommentThe problem is not the shortcoming of the law itself, but rather the reluctance of the agents of the law to apply it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisUnfortunately, I don't know how effective such laws would be. Users can access the same virtual society from across the globe leaving the question of whose responsibility is it to police such acts. There are some areas which could have realistic legislation, such as the theft case above, which could be prosecuted in similar virtual forums (eg. ebay).
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe law doesn't need to be changed. We just need to acknowledge that virtual realities are nothing more than telephones or Web sites with more graphics. If I claimed that I was "raped" over the telephone, you would understand exactly how that didn't apply legally. Sure, assault can be committed over the phone, but rape is a physical crime.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSame goes for regulating business. If I were to buy a product through a web site from a third party, we pretty much understand how to regulate that at this point. If the "web site" is instead Second Life, nothing really changes other than the fact that they're providing tokens for the transaction, but at the end of the day those tokens aren't real money, and the money is realized when you cash them in through LL's Web site.... again, easy to regulate and no new laws are required.
The desire to pass new laws should always be resisted in the face of new technology until it is proven that existing laws are insufficient.
Interaction sites are not telephones with more graphics. They're for ever off the hook, and the whole world-wide neighbourhood can copy and spread things 24/7. Starting false sexual rumours about a teenager can demolish their life as effectively as physical rape can do. Young people are committing suicide when their sexuality is spread across the Web. Take it seriously!
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