Virtual Reality(VR) is becoming more and more conventional nowadays. Virtual reality, which was once a popular and a hot topic in the science fiction world, has now become mainstream and a reality. As technology transforms and advances, a law has to bring its pace parallel to it. Similarly, with the advancement of virtual technology, a law needs time to catch up. You have already seen how laws have extended online criminal threats. Although, when it comes to Virtual Reality, lawmakers are uncertain and unclear.
VR worlds have shifted from just immersive to an interactive, 3D experience. It has grown exponentially from limited to just computer games to education, social networking, trainings and sales. Major players such as Microsoft, Sony and Google have even released their VR headsets in the market for the general populace.
Virtual Crime – Real Law
Is it possible that a crime can be committed into a virtual world? We don’t have any legislation or strong rules that govern the virtual reality realm, so it is rather hard to hold someone for these offenses. Since there are no virtual crimes that of fraud, theft or murder, we are left to look at only the court’s interpretations of the same.
The lines between the virtual reality world and real crimes are blurring as the virtual crimes spill over into real life. Some countries have introduced new rules for these crimes and special police investigation units to cover them.
Trademark and Copyright Law
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Any content that is copyrighted or trademarked, if it appears in the virtual world, falls under the same rules as the real world.
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Businesses are inclined to register their IP addresses to protect their distinct characters of the virtual world.
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Enforcement is in place in terms of preventing any third party from selling the copyrighted content in VR.
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All users, before entering into the virtual world, have to agree to the terms of service agreement as managed by the world owner. Owners also have the ability to protect the infringements in the VR.
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A strong authority further oversees and rules above the World owner, to hold off any wrongdoing by the world owner.
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For a creator or a user, there aren’t many defenses available. The most logical defense to pursue would be the fair use defense.
Crossing the Line
VR has grown from its infancy stage to a more grown one which is crossing into unethical territory. It won’t be long before a virtual murder, sexual harassment and pedophilia become a reality. This kind of simulation doesn’t exist for now, but with the availability of the programs today, there seems to be no limit on the personal fantasies of people transforming into the virtual reality.
It has been evident by a somewhat recently created play, The Nether, which depicted this type of scenario where adult users commit sexual crimes against children. In the real world, the rules are already in place. As online threats are also considered criminal, it won’t be too long before virtual thefts, sexual violence and harassments become criminalized behavior.
As the modern world is paving its way to virtual reality, it would be interesting to know how the laws catch up with the technology.