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I’m Suing!!! WoW Could Get Messy

by Erin on January 24th, 2006

This borders on the absolutely ridiculous. Not that I don’t agree that virtual property is essentially no different than “real world” possessions, but when they start trying to apply that logic to video games, I get a little confused.

Game Tycoon writer David Edery had a look at the possibility of legal implications of MMO gameplay came up with some startling ideas. Before you dismiss Edery a just another blogger, he does hold a position in the Comparable Media Studies Department at M.I.T., so the man does have somewhat of a clue about what he’s doing.

It may sound like a non-sensical topic, but given some of his points, and considering what some people already DO sue for…Look out.

Says Edery:

What happens when players (especially underage players) engage in “legally indecent” acts? Can EA (developer of Sims Online) be sued for letting a ten-year old operate a virtual brothel? Can it be sued by players who suffer real financial damages at the hands of a virtual mafia?

Can players use legal means to prevent the deactivation of an MMOG, or to force developers to open source a game prior to deactivation? (i.e. to protect the value of their property?)

Read more HERE.

All I can say is: heaven help us if the woman that sued McDonald’s because her coffee was too hot, also gets ahold of this discussion.

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