Like Columbus, we stumble upon a new world already filled with happy inhabitants, who - like the residents of the Western Hemisphere in 1452 - don't find the place new at all. Well, MU-Online is new to us (me anyway), but rather ho-hum to the more than 300,000 Chinese and Koreans who visit the place regularly. Thanks to correspondent Unggi Yoon for mentioning this world in a comment.
Indeed, anyone interested in the property rights debate should read his post, under "Who Owns My Lightsaber?" as it refers to recent court cases that have already gone to the highest levels in Korea and China. Bottom line: EULAs are not robust.
Thanks Castronova.
Actually the name of MU-Online is borrowed from 'the Lost Continent of Mu' by Col. James Churchward.
Sincerely yours
Ung(please pronounce 'woong')
gi(please pronounce 'gi' not 'gai','ji',or 'ki')
Yoon
Posted by: Unggi Yoon | Oct 29, 2003 at 07:54
Actually, Webzen v. Itembay doesn't really stand for the proposition that the EULA isn't robust (based only on Unggi's description). It mostly stands for the proposition that Itembay was not a party to the EULA and, therefore, is not bound by the terms of the EULA.
Which, I think, is the right answer. Webzen should have to (1) design to minimize the effects of Itembay; (2) police it's owm players and enforce the EULA against them; or (3) some combination of the two. The costs associated with enforcement of the EULA should be internalized in the Webzen/customer relationship.
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Cole | Oct 29, 2003 at 09:02
Living
Posted by: aaa | Jul 29, 2004 at 23:43
Living
Posted by: aaa | Jul 29, 2004 at 23:43
Living
Posted by: aaa | Jul 29, 2004 at 23:43