History of changes to Second Life's Terms of Service (TOS)

This list attempts to capture the evolution of the Second Life ToS over time. It contains some of the versions of the TOS since April 14, 2004, and some information about earlier versions.

Note:

1. The list is neither complete nor completely accurate. In fact, if you have versions I'm missing, please please send them in (with the date from which you saved them). List updated as info becomes available.
2. The dates are not "effective dates," but rather, the dates Internet Archive took a snapshot of the page. Where I could locate the likely actual effective date, I have indicated it in parentheses.
3. The excerpted changes may not be complete. Download the full versions and run a comparison yourself if you are relying on the information.

The list:

• October, 2002: Second Life beta opens


• February 28, 2003 (beta tester's TOS); RTF


• June 23, 2003: Second Life launches commercially


• Nov 14, 2003: "Changes to Second Life's Terms of Service now recognize the ownership of in-world content by the subscribers who make it. The revised TOS allows subscribers to retain full intellectual property protection for the digital content they create, including characters, clothing, scripts, textures, objects and designs." Linden Labs press release.
  Digital Rights FAQ, March 8, 2004


• April 14, 2004, RTF


• June 5, 2004, RTF
  Changes since April 14, 2004


• October 11, 2004, RTF
  Changes since June 5, 2004 (major changes)


• May 24, 2005, RTF
  Changes since October 11, 2004


• June 27, 2005, RTF
  Changes since May 24, 2005


• August 8, 2005, RTF
  Changes since June 27, 2005


• October 26, 2005, RTF
  Changes since August 8, 2005 (major changes)


• December 8, 2005, RTF
  Changes since October 26, 2005


• December 23, 2005, RTF
  Changes since December 8, 2005


• May 18, 2006, RTF (effective date: May 8, 2006)
  (permitting LL to sell $L themselves)
  Changes since December 23, 2005 (major changes)


• July 1, 2006, RTF (effective date: June 27, 2006)
  Changes since May 18, 2006 (significant changes)
  Tao's Thoughts on Second Life discusses the change, which addressed ID verification problems after credit cards were no longer required to sign up.


• October 23, 2006, RTF
  Changes since July 1, 2006
  


• December 5, 2006, RTF (effective date: November 14, 2006, or November 22, 2006)
  Changes since October 23, 2006 (major changes)
  Analysis by Nobody Fugazi


• February 6, 2007, RTF (effective date: February 2nd, 2007)
  Changes since December 5, 2006


• September 18, 2007, RTF (effective date: September 18, 2007) (arbitration provisions changed)
  Changes since February 6, 2007 (major changes)
  Official post here.
  Analysis by Nobody Fugazi here.
  commentary from Virtually Blind here.