Sony is trying to control how people trade their Everquest items and experience by creating their own trading post: Station Exchange.

I wonder how long it is before there are restraint of trade lawsuits against Sony and other virtual world manfacturers who try to crack down on third-party selling of items and experience. Why, legally and/or ethically, should Sony own all products created by the combination of their programming of the Everquest online world, and the effort their customers' put into that world? I can think of some reason in favor of Sony's argument, and some against. Same reason why I understand the complications of First Amendment law in mall spaces. I wonder how long it is before there are restraint of trade lawsuits against Sony and other virtual world manfacturers who try to crack down on third-party selling of items and experience. Why, legally and/or ethically, should Sony own all products created by the combination of their programming of the Everquest online world, and the effort their customers' put into that world? I can think of some reason in favor of Sony's argument, and some against. Same reason why I understand the complications of First Amendment law in mall spaces.

Another weird thing involves the creation of a language for the game, Jade Empire. The Cairns Blog wonders if the company could copyright the language, a work-forhire project. I wonder if the Star Trek franchise ever thought about copyrighting Klingon? And if they did, and had been successful, would they have been sued for infringement? Because I seem to remember that Klingon is just a sped-up version of Thai or Vietnamese (I forget which).

The whole thing gives me a story idea. Hmmm.

I got the original links from the Cairns Blog, who got one from the Depraved Librarian, who got it from the NY Times; and another link from Terranova. The Cairns Blog appears to be following some interesting issues of how the online space is developing culturally, not just as a business venture.