We're really delighted to welcome Joshua Fairfield into our little band of misfits, outcasts and ne'er-do-wells. Unfortunately he doesn't really fit our mold: he's got degrees from Swarthmore and the University of Chicago, he clerked for Hon. Danny J. Boggs, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and has taught at Columbia. He is now at the University of Indiana Law School where he teaches electronic commerce law and commercial law.
We thought that he was far too distinguished for us, but he insisted that he was just right: he's deeply, deeply addicted to WoW like the rest of us, and is Council Member of the Hrafn Warband, Silver Hand, Alliance. And his most prized credential is not on his wall, but on his office computer background: a screenshot of his first Ragnaros kill. It's sad, really, just how like us he is.
Also he recently published a great piece on virtual property which you all should read. So we let him in. Maybe he can bring up the tone of the place (though he's gonna have to work hard to counteract Julian and Greg's influence.)
We're very glad to have him.
I've been able to read about 10 pages of Josh's paper so far... very compelling. I must say I am very interested in reading in the rest later this evening.
Look forward to meeting you Josh at State of Play next week!
Posted by: Will Leverett | Sep 26, 2005 at 14:22
Skal Arrr Grrgh
Posted by: ren reynolds | Sep 26, 2005 at 14:45
The comments about URLs, email addresses, and so forth are interesting and compelling, but it starts to get dubious when he goes into game eulas.
"Why should we permit consensual agreements that prevent formation of property rights in the first instance any more than we tolerate other consensual restraints on alienation?"
Quite simple. It's cheating. And many of us want the right to play a game with some basic rules and not have an attorney tell us that someone has a "property right" to cheat.
Should balls and strikes be given the value of virtual property and MLB be enjoined from prohibiting their sale as well?
Posted by: | Sep 26, 2005 at 15:08
So, is this the right place to give feedback on Josh's paper: "Virtual Property?"
I have quite a bit. :-)
Randy
Posted by: F. Randall Farmer | Sep 26, 2005 at 17:51
I've got plenty of feedback too. :-)
But we should probably restrain ourselves, Randy, and do this under a thread with a proper title. Maybe Josh could post it with a brief overview of what he sees as MMORPG-specific implications?
Posted by: greglas | Sep 26, 2005 at 18:15
I'll wait for the proper thread (I don't really have the time for proper feedback at this moment anyway.)
It'll wait a few days. :-)
Randy
Posted by: F. Randall Farmer | Sep 26, 2005 at 18:57
Grrr! I too have feedback on what is a very clear, well-considered, and well-written article, and I'm pretty much bursting at the keyboard. But I'll wait.
But not very patiently. :-)
Those who haven't read it, as a non-lawyer, I found it quite clear and understandable. I commend it to you, along with a large mug of herb tea.
Posted by: Evangolis | Sep 26, 2005 at 19:07
*ding*
Posted by: Jim Purbrick | Sep 26, 2005 at 19:54
He's not on the sidebar...
Fix. =)
Posted by: Michael Chui | Sep 27, 2005 at 01:32
There are lots of people not on the sidebar...
Posted by: Jim Purbrick | Sep 27, 2005 at 10:08
And he's not one of them.
Posted by: Michael Chui | Sep 27, 2005 at 16:24
Shoot, my bad...
Posted by: greglas | Sep 28, 2005 at 12:00
fixed
Posted by: greglas | Sep 28, 2005 at 12:08