The Law of Virtual Worlds and Internet Social Networks

Virtual worlds are the latest manifestation of the internet's inexorable appetite for development. Organisations of all kinds are enthusiastically pursuing the commercial opportunities offered by the growth of this phenomenon. But if you believe that there are no laws which govern internet social networks and virtual worlds this book will persuade you otherwise. There is law, and a good deal of it. Why would there not be? As with many other aspects of the world wide web, this new medium is unregulated and offers many opportunities for companies to damage their reputation, run into a whole host of problems relating to intellectual property, trade marks and copyrights, and compromise the rights of individuals participating within the virtual environment. By reading The Law of Virtual Worlds and Internet Social Networks you will gain a good understanding of the legal issues which govern this expanding and fascinating world - are you ready for the leap from internet plaything to meaningful social and business tool? The Law of Virtual Worlds and Internet Social Networks is an essential reference for advertising and media agencies; television broadcast producers; academic institutions including university law, knowledge and information departments. In fact, it has been written for anyone interested in virtual worlds and social networks whether commercially because you want to explore the possibilities such environments present, or for academic curiosity.

Contents: Introduction: the advent of the avatar; Entering into the virtual world and v-commerce contract formation; Legal terms and conditions governing participation in virtual worlds; The minimum content the law requires for virtual world and social network websites; Protecting and exploiting intellectual property rights in virtual worlds and social networks; Marketing, promotion and advertising of internet social networks and virtual worlds; Protecting personal privacy in virtual worlds and social networks; The Distance Selling Regulations and sales through virtual worlds; Agreements between virtual worlds or social networks and infrastructure providers; Strategic agreements between virtual worlds and aggregators of the service; Protecting corporate and individual reputations in virtual worlds and social networks; Disability discrimination considerations with virtual worlds and social networks; Employment law issues and employees' participation in a virtual world; Bibliography; Index.