[MUD-Dev] RE: BlackSnow sues Mythic for online property rights

[Matt Mihaly]

On Fri, 15 Feb 2002, Dr. Cat wrote:
> (John Buehler)
  
>> In brief, if players want to be able to transfer the privileges
>> that they have paid for, they have to subscribe to a company's
>> entertainment that includes the privilege of transferrance.  As
>> an example, the leasor of an automobile is not obligated to
>> permit you to transfer the lease to another person.  Same thing
>> with a rented home.
 
> One slightly odd aspect of this case, though, is that apparently
> Mythic DOES give players the privilege of giving each other money
> and items in the game.  Whatever their motivation for giving stuff
> to another player, or even if there's no motive at all other than
> random generosity to strangers, it's permitted to give things away
> in the game, is it not?  Apparently Mythic feels it only becomes
> unpermissible if the giving is preceeded by a certain real-world
> occurence - i.e. the recipient agreeing to give real world cash to
> the giver to motivate them to give the virual item or money.

This situation has multiple physical-world parallels. Prostitution
for instance. You can go out and give sex away all day long, but as
soon as you charge money for it, it's illegal. Same with organ
donors currently, I believe, or giving up your kid.

--matt

_______________________________________________
MUD-Dev mailing list
MUD-Dev at kanga.nu
https://www.kanga.nu/lists/listinfo/mud-dev