Legal Action and Investigations Related to Virtual Worlds

2007

• Habbo Hotel theft prosecution
• Eros, LLC et al. v Simon
• SkyNews (UK) coverage of alleged "Wonderland" ageplay
• Allegations of fraudulent land sales in Second Life
• Blizzard v InGame Dollar
• Hernandez v IGE (class action)
• Eros LLC v John Doe
• German investigation into child pornography in Second Life
• Familles de France v Linden Lab
• Gambling regulations

2006

• Bragg v Linden
• MDY Industries v. Blizzard et al ("WoWGlider")
• Kopp v Vivendi Universal Games ("The Ultimate World of Warcraft Leveling and Gold Guide" case)
• Shanda Interactive (game co. liable to gamer for devalued virtual game equipment and damaged reputation.)

2003

• Li v Arctic Ice (game co. liable to gamer for missing virtual weaponry)

2002

• BlackSnow v Mythic (game co. requested E-bay stop BlackSnow's trade in DAOC gear; BlackSnow sued for unfair business practice and interference with "prospective economic advantage")

2000

• Reab v. Electronic Arts, et al(volunteer "counselors" sued Ultima Online, alleging they were in fact unpaid employees; class action was settled in 2003, and UO was ordered to pay plaintiffs' costs and attorney fees.)

• Hinther v. Electronic Arts (players frustrated by ongoing bugs and downtime in Ultima Online sued for false advertising and releasing a defective product).