Theory and practice of intellectual property
№ 3 / 2019

ISSN (Print) 2308-0361
ISSN (Online) 2519-2744

PDF (Ukrainian)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33731/32019.173820

Published      2019-07-19

«Virtual Property» in cyberspace: essence and legal nature

Ruslan Ennan
Ukraine

Abstract
In article the essence and legal nature of «virtual property» are considered in the conditions of formation of cyberspace. New types of social interaction, available through the Internet, have spawned virtual worlds with a developed economic subsystem. Virtual objects that exist in these worlds, often have a significant economic value and can be obtained for real money, which determines the expediency of their protection through the law. However, it is worth recognizing that the current trend towards dematerialization and virtualization of property, the relations arising in the virtual worlds are increasingly difficult to interpret in a language inherited from Roman law. Over time, the need to rethink traditional perceptions of ownership, its objects and the order of their protection in order to attract virtual objects will inevitably arise. It seems necessary to draw cyberspace into the scope of the current legal regulation, not contradicting the real and virtual worlds, but realizing that these worlds exist together, and what happens in one can have serious consequences in the second. In any case, the current status quo for virtual objects can not last long. The situation when there is a black market for such objects, and their regulation is carried out by agreements, unilaterally drawn by the rightholders without regard for the interests of users and third parties, is abnormal. Many experts agree that sooner or later the courts, and after them, and lawmakers will be forced to recognize the reality of «virtual» property.

Keywords: virtual property, virtual relations, cyberspace, gaming space, virtual world

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