Legal Issues around User-Generated Content in Virtual Worlds

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* Lastowka, Greg, User-Generated Content] & Virtual Worlds. Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law, 2013.

Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1094048


Abstract

"Many legal commentators have claimed that virtual worlds owe their popularity to their focus on user-generated content and user creativity. While this is true in part and authorial freedom may draw consumers to virtual worlds, user-generated content can also pose risks to virtual world businesses from both an aesthetic and legal perspective.

A significant tension exists between permitting participants to create content freely and building a successful virtual environment. In some instances, user-generated content can overwhelm virtual worlds. The future of user-generated content in virtual worlds is not clear, given the significant practical and legal problems that accompany user-generated content."