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Experts Discuss Virtual Theft And Real Crime

Posted by simoniker on from the time-to-get-out-the-virtual-handcuffs dept.

Harlequeen writes According to the BBC, police forces across the globe are looking into whether on-line theft in MMORPGs can be considered a real crime. A law expert called in by the BBC seems to think they can, but does virtual crime need real justice?" The piece takes earlier revelations about Korean cybercrime as a starting point, and Dr Roger Leng of the University of Warwick agrees that "the law has no problems treating the intangible as valuable", suggesting: "It's possible to steal any form of property right which is not represented by tangible objects."

3 of 49 comments (clear)

  1. FPS by demmegod · · Score: 2, Funny

    What's next? Could I be put on death row for killing my buddy in Halo?

  2. A solution by ColaMan · · Score: 3, Funny

    Give them online community service.
    100 hours of helping out n00bs will be enough to persuade even the most hardened criminal to repent.

    --

    You are in a twisty maze of processor lines, all alike.
    There is a lot of hype here.
  3. Tangible vs. Intangible by mopslik · · Score: 2, Funny
    Dr Roger Leng of the University of Warwick agrees that "the law has no problems treating the intangible as valuable".

    All I know is that I'd be very upset if the cops didn't have time to look for my stolen car because they were busy surfing eBay trying to locate someone's stolen +4STR Sword of Whoop-de-Doo.