The virtual world just got a little more real

Second Life may face a new threat, the need to apply and enforce real law in its virtual world. A Pennsylvania court has denied two requests by Linden Lab, which would have effectively ended the first legal challenge, Bragg v. Linden, to the Second Life creator. Instead, the decisions may grant greater rights and control of the online world to the users. Maybe that can be viewed as validation, but it also spells trouble for the online fantasy world.

The case stems from Linden Lab removing "property" allegedly acquired using an exploit by a SL user, Bragg, and then closing his account. The deciding factor being that real rights to virtual property are being observed and marketed by Linden Lab. Exactly what their CEO Rosedale has been trumpeting as Second Life's redeeming value!