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Virtual Justice: The New Laws of Online Worlds
What happens in the virtual world doesn't always stay in the virtual world
Tens of millions of people today are living part of their life in a virtual world. In places like World of Warcraft, Second Life, and Free Realms, people are making friends, building communities, creating art, and making real money. Business is booming on the virtual frontier, as billions of dollars are paid in exchange for pixels on screens. But sometimes things go wrong. Virtual criminals defraud online communities in pursuit of real-world profits. People feel cheated when their avatars lose virtual property to wrongdoers. Increasingly, they turn to legal systems for solutions. But when your avatar has been robbed, what law is there to assist you? In Virtual Justice, Greg Lastowka illustrates the real legal dilemmas posed by virtual worlds. Presenting the most recent lawsuits and controversies, he explains how governments are responding to the chaos on the cyberspace frontier. After an engaging overview of the history and business models of today's virtual worlds, he explores how laws of property, jurisdiction, crime, and copyright are being adapted to pave the path of virtual law. Virtual worlds are becoming more important to society with each passing year. This pioneering study will be an invaluable guide to scholars of online communities for years to come.
Tens of millions of people today are living part of their life in a virtual world. In places like World of Warcraft, Second Life, and Free Realms, people are making friends, building communities, creating art, and making real money. Business is booming on the virtual frontier, as billions of dollars are paid in exchange for pixels on screens. But sometimes things go wrong. Virtual criminals defraud online communities in pursuit of real-world profits. People feel cheated when their avatars lose virtual property to wrongdoers. Increasingly, they turn to legal systems for solutions. But when your avatar has been robbed, what law is there to assist you? In Virtual Justice, Greg Lastowka illustrates the real legal dilemmas posed by virtual worlds. Presenting the most recent lawsuits and controversies, he explains how governments are responding to the chaos on the cyberspace frontier. After an engaging overview of the history and business models of today's virtual worlds, he explores how laws of property, jurisdiction, crime, and copyright are being adapted to pave the path of virtual law. Virtual worlds are becoming more important to society with each passing year. This pioneering study will be an invaluable guide to scholars of online communities for years to come.
- GenresLaw
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 18, 2019
Rare is the book that so artfully animates, engages, and provokes the creative and legal imagination as does Virtual Justice: The New Laws of Online Worlds."—Heidi Boghosian, The Federal Lawyer
June 7, 2012
This is an interesting and easy-to-read survey of legal issues pertaining to virtual worlds. Lastowka wisely saves intellectual property for last and starts by examining other issues such as jurisdiction and virtual property. He also examines a number of virtual worlds that are, in my experience, underrepresented in the academic literature.
November 10, 2012
An interesting pop-law book looking at how legal concepts such as property rights, copyright and contract law do and could apply to virtual worlds such as Second Life, WoW or MUDs.
June 2, 2013
Interesting read, brings up a lot of thought provoking issues. Good to know that law issues are not my cup of tea, nothing super riveting for me going on here.
October 16, 2010
A good summary, although more of a survey then an argument.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews