October 30th, 2007
Virtual Sex Toys Lead to Real-Life Lawsuit
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
I’ve said before this country is overly litigious, but in this case virtual sex toys have some real-life monetary value — and are intellectual property — thus, the lawsuit. Despite the reality of the legal issues, the case still has some humorous qualities.
The case is Eros vs. Simon. Eros is a virtual sex shop, and is one of six plaintiffs in the case. Thomas Simon is accused of using a hack to “clone” products from the plaintiffs, including virtual sex toys.
Despite the fact that this is, quite honestly, an online game, the players (or inhabitants if you will) pay real money for clothes and other items and services, including prostitutes. Because of this, the case does have some actual merit. And in fact, since companies such as IBM, Dell, Circuit City and even Reuters have opened stores and bureaus in Second Life, some prefer to call it a “platform” and not a game.
It gets still stranger though, as Simon says the evidence gathered against him was obtained by Eros “breaking into” his virtual house which, in real-life, without a search warrant, would be inadmissible.
We Say: So not only is a judge going to have to decide the merits of the theft, he or she will have to rule on whether a virtual search warrant is required? Also, should Linden Labs, Second Life’s creator be responsible because of the hacks used? Stay tuned.
GAC says:
“I’ve said before this country is overly litigious”
You’ve said it because you have no real world interaction with the legal system and make your statements based on dubious information (read that The Crap Found on the Internet) . And what does “overly litigious” actually mean. Specifically which causes of action will you shut the door too? Bush has water downed the writ of habaus corpus so that will cut back on federal litigation. Happy now?
October 30th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Ben says:
Uh-Oh call the internet police GAC is acting like tuff stuff and a big shot on the interwebs.
Hey GAC, lets play a game. I make a completely random statement and you figure out some way that it is the fault of Bush or conservatives or whatever political views you hate, OK?
Statement:
“My cats breath smells like cat food.”
GO!
October 30th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Mikey says:
Leave GAC alone. It’s not easy struggling through life with the obvious handicap he has.
Blaming a politico is just his way of saying he’s sorry he voted republican.
Yeah, I know, I heard you.
You want to do something about it?
Vote. Get involved. Volunteer.
October 31st, 2007 at 5:34 am
samueladamski says:
Cocks shotgun, shoots virtual morons, cocks shotgun, kills lawsuit, cocks shotgun, shoots computer
October 31st, 2007 at 9:35 am
TucsonGuy says:
Hey GAC: How about $54 million because a dry cleaner lost a pair of pants? Or when a woman drinks, takes drugs and never sees a doctor during her entire pregnancy and then sues the unlucky OB/GYN who delivers a defective baby? Or someone who doesn’t wear their seatbelt, is in an accident, gets ejected and then expects someone else to pay the additional medical costs that resulted from their decision not to wear the seat belt? Every day we hear about stupid lawsuits being filed and won. There is no room in America for honest mistakes anymore.
And yes, if “watering down habeas corpus” keeps some terrorist from getting out of jail so he can go back and blow up another soldier, then I am happy. Can you tell me ANYONE that you know personally that has ever been affected by the Patriot Act, warrantless wiretapping, etc? I didn’t think so. Ever noticed that it’s always “I know someone who knew someone who had a friend that…?”
November 1st, 2007 at 4:01 pm
翻译公司 says:
Bu Liushen just have to crime;
Parabolic home care industry unworthy of their elders;
Are in the know which flavor;
Dare not expect the social status;
Shasha Ziwotaozui entirely;
At the dawn of the Labour Day.
签证保险
To make money for fighting in the elite of the community extended lofty revolutionary salute!
May 18th, 2008 at 7:16 pm