3D INTERNET LAW

It's inevitable. We're in the process of moving from a 2D Internet -- one like magazine pages, with maybe some video, audio, and animation -- to an immersive 3D Internet. You may have heard of the Second Life® virtual world, a service of Linden Lab in San Francisco. It's the most prominent virtual world in use, but there are others. All of these virtual world Internet applications let users control on-screen characters, called "avatars," that walk in and around what seem to be buildings, stroll by the lakeshore, fly through the air, and ride virtual vehicles. The technology powering these virtual worlds has a lot in common with multiuser online games, such as World of Warcraft®, EverQuest®, and City of Heroes/City of Villains®. Regardless, it is just a matter of time before business 3D Internet "sites" or applications are just as common as 2D websites... With the adoption of the 3D Internet comes new legal issues. For instance, trademark infringement is common in the Second Life®..

Primary location: San Jose United States