Dispute resolution and virtual property why what and

Dispute resolution and virtual property: why, what and where… Digital Interactive Symposium: Edinburgh 27 August 2010 Dr Abbe E. L. Brown abbe. brown@ed. ac. uk

Overview • If it’s worth anything it’s worth fighting about…. • But how? • A link to Jas and the plenary…

Why? • Plus ca change… • people aren’t very nice…. • More investment, more interest, more willingness to take risks, more willingness to fight • domain names • but is it about games, content or control: • “new gods? ” • Clashes of values and worlds? • • e. Bay/Tiffany Facebook cf Canada Rape in Cyberspace or just more ISP/net neutrality chat? ?

Fighting about a Game? • The claim • “trade marks” and “copyright” • real, virtual, who says • “defamation” • whose standards • breach of contract (or constitution? ) • EULA, community standards • “crime” • tax evasion, theft (land, points), fraud (RMT)

What else? • First Amendment/article 10 ECHR? • Competition law: cartels and abuse of a dominant position? • Consumer protection

Why really? • The parties • • gamer against gamer provider against gamers “against” gamer avatar? ? • For what • money, “mandatory action” • remaining in game • “reform”

You tell me • Personal experience?

Where? • Provider/gamer: courts • EULA – California, Iceland • Gamer/gamer: courts • same old jurisdiction battles in courts • Gutnick v Dow, Mecklermedia, Bonnier Media • New solutions • e. Bay Square Trade • UDRP • WIPO and Format Recognition and Protection Association re TV formats • wikipedia

Where else? • In game • SL: • banishment, policing – Liaison • Lawyers, dispute resolution providers in game and RW – Cf SLSC/Metaverse (all a bit old…) – Cf Alemi paper • Eve: • Caldera Tribunal • Council of Stellar Management – POS bug, banned

Your experiences? • Too much law, not enough action?

SO… • what has really happened….