{"id":2182,"date":"2012-10-27T11:14:47","date_gmt":"2012-10-27T10:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sl.governormarley.com\/?p=2182"},"modified":"2012-10-27T11:16:47","modified_gmt":"2012-10-27T10:16:47","slug":"are-cbs-clamping-down-on-ip-infringements-in-second-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sl.governormarley.com\/?p=2182","title":{"rendered":"Are CBS Clamping Down On IP Infringements In Second Life?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over in the merchants forum Steve Atlanta has created a thread claiming that CBS are clamping down on copyright violations within Second Life, the thread can be read here<\/a>. CBS have every right to do this, being as they own the intellectual property rights along with their partners.<\/p>\n

If you’re selling Star Trek material without permission from CBS then you’re treading on very thin ice. Where matters are always a little more complicated, is when you’re producing items for roleplay. Insignias are probably out of bounds and you should have a disclaimer that you’re not official somewhere in your covenant or parcel, but general roleplay is usually good for the franchise and is usually encouraged.<\/p>\n

We’ve been here before, Battlestar Galactica roleplayers in Second Life felt the wrath of IP infringement and were then given the green light to carry on as long as they played by the rules<\/a>. I seem to recall a similar issue with Dune roleplay.<\/p>\n

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I’d like to think a compromise such as the one reached in The Battlestar Galactica case, could be reached with Star Trek roleplay in Second Life. Roleplayers are fans and are promoting the franchise but it’s understandable that these companies don’t want people profiting from their franchises without reaching an official agreement, which would I imagine be too costly for an average Second Life user to afford.<\/p>\n

Clamping down on free items or general roleplay has always seemed to be a step too far to me, it undermines good will but we all need to be respectful of intellectual property rights. Hopefully a happy compromise can be reached here, but if you’re selling Star Trek related content in Second Life without permission, then don’t be surprised if your items are pulled from sale.<\/p>\n

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