There are virtual lawyers, virtual commerce, virtual brands.  So logically someone has finally opened what purports to be the Second Life Patent and Trademark Office saying: “We allow you to register, protect, and add value to your Second Life creations to protect your intellectual property rights.” 

It is unclear how virtual protection of virtual rights would function in Second Life (let alone First Life).  There have been more real-world disputes over virtual rights, including a real lawsuit  launched a few months ago by virtual business operators Le Cadre Network and others who complain of copyright infringement and passing off within Second Life.  Bear with me here…  The complainants in that suit filed (real) copyright registrations for their (virtual) products in the (real) US Copyright Office.  Maybe they can convince their lawyers to charge virtual legal fees. 

 

Calgary – 11:45 MST