Last night's Second
Life event with Judge Richard Posner had it all -- a giant wooden
box darting back and forth across the stage, several rapid booms that
seemed to be some sort of simulated terrorist attack, the revelation
of the Judge's small furry obsession as he seemed to have trouble tearing
his attention away from anthropmorphic racoon in attendence, and an
interesting back-and-forth on architectural copyright.
The question at hand was whether virtual buildings in Second Life that are recreations of bricks-and-mortar constructions could be considered infringing under U.S. law. Posner's position was that, well, could be, especially because SL theaters and stadiums and the like are obviously much more than just 2-D pictures. After all, Second Life buildings can be entered, even if it's only your avatar strolling in the front door. Bit mind blowing, really.
The question at hand was whether virtual buildings in Second Life that are recreations of bricks-and-mortar constructions could be considered infringing under U.S. law. Posner's position was that, well, could be, especially because SL theaters and stadiums and the like are obviously much more than just 2-D pictures. After all, Second Life buildings can be entered, even if it's only your avatar strolling in the front door. Bit mind blowing, really.
