Legal Question in Technology Law in Texas
Does Fraud translate to the virtual worlds of gaming?
I play an online game called Ultima Online. It�s a a virtual world that exists 24/7. You have things like houses and money as well as live there. It�s a simulated world that I have played for 3 years. It never starts over, it just continues on like real life.
Anyway
There are items in this game, let�s say a castle for example, which actually has a real life monetary value of 2000 US dollars. It would take 9 months to earn on of these.
Say I see a message on a web site that says �Selling Castle for 4 million GP�. Which GP is money inside the game. I decide to contact the person and buy the item from that player. I give 4 million in GP (real life value of $1300 US)to that user and then he doesn�t transfer me the Castle. I never hear from that person again or he won't talk to me. I�m out $2000 dollars
Since these are virtual items, and are worth lots of real life cash? Wouldn�t this be stealing or fraud?
What is the limit of the law.
Someone could make up to $50,000 a year on scams like these. No joke.
P.S. I know this all sounds crazy but look at the law and not the weirdness of this post.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Does Fraud translate to the virtual worlds of gaming?
Laws certainly apply online. If what you were trying to purchase has actual monetary value, and you were scammed, then the other party commited a fraud or misrepresentation against you and you could sue for damages. To do this, however, you need to know exactly who it is and how to contact him/her.
Re: Does Fraud translate to the virtual worlds of gaming?
Yes, I think this is fraud. You gave up something with real-world value in exchange for something else of real-world value and were denied the benefit of the bargain; that is at least a breach of contract based on what you have said. If the other side acted with the intent to cheat you, it would probably be fraud.
There are practical problems, though, such as whether you can even find the other person in the real world. If you can and they are not in your locale, legal action -- especially over the sum of $2,000.00 -- might prove too costly to be worthwhile. This is a small-claims type of situation, at least in California.
Maybe the best bet is to start locally, within the game. Report the incident to the game's administrators and see if they can help. They may know who and where the other party is, and might be willing to help you.
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