Virtual Crime

[FamilyGal]

I find this incredibly interesting. There is a surge of "virtual" crime on sites like Second Life. People make REAL money selling virtual items. They have businesses on this site and a whole "second life". When items are stolen, is it a crime?

Also, apparently there are other crimes out there as well. Women have made claims of virtual rape and child pornography is growing in these communities.

Here are some links to see what I am talking about:

Virtual Crime, Second Life Style
http://virtuallawatlse.blogspot.com/2007/05/virtual-crime-second-life-style.html

Virtual Rape is Traumatic, but is it a crime?
http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/commentary/sexdrive/2007/05/sexdrive_0504

Does Virtual Reality Need a Sheriff?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/01/AR2007060102671.html

The Dark Side of Second Life
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/01/AR2007060102671.html

Do a Virtual Sex Crime in Real Life, Do Real Time
http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2007/06/02/do-a-virtual-sex-crime-in-second-life-do-real-time/



This is a VERY minor example, but recently my son was playing Runescape and was going around with another player he had grown to trust (several issues there I realize). The other player talked my son into walking in the woods to find more treasure. Once they got into the forest, the other player proceeded to beat up my son's character and stole all of his "loot". At first, I thought it was no big deal and was just glad he still doesn't give out his real name and other identifying information, but it still upset me that someone did that. The other character had more "strength" and was able to overcome my son's character. Again, not a huge deal, but it really upset my son and taught him a lesson. In this instance, no "real" crime was committed, but in the many articles I have read and the stuff in the Criminal Justice books, this is a rapidly growing area of crime. REAL money is changing hands when seller's sell their "wares" on these sites or other sites such as eBay. And, child pornography is growing on there as well. Can we regulate pornographic graphics (not real children)? The child porn industry is getting away with it because these are not real children. They are made by graphic artist to look like real humans.

If they do decide this is a true crime, how do they police it? How do they enforce it? I would love to hear other opinions on this.

[FamilyGal]

Copied from Virtual Law Website:

In the United States, the landmark decision of Ashcroft v. The Free Speech Coalition (see also this useful brief by Dannielle Cisneros for the Duke Law & Tech. Review) states that government may not criminalize production and possession of virtual child images because the production of virtual child pornography does not sexually abuse an actual child. In so doing the Court rejected the government's argument that virtual child pornography encourages pedophiles to abuse children.

[Wilson]

The whole Second Life thing makes my head spin, tbh! I just don't get it.

[FamilyGal]

Me too! I don't understand why someone just wouldn't close the window when they are being assaulted. But, I guess the thing is that they invest so much time and money into the game (and emotional I guess as well) that they don't want to just start up another identity. I just can't wrap my head around something like that, but it has brought some really interesting and complicated issues with the law.

[cgwoolf]

Mercy - I did not know such things even existed. How gross.