First published in The Lawyers Weekly, November 26, 2010
There’s an interesting two-way interface between the real world and video games. Virtual in-game property can have real-world value and importance, and real-world people, brands and objects can make their way into video games. A number of legal issues arise from the second scenario.
What’s the fuss?
Using real-world things in video games can cause condemnation, chastisement, and threatened or actual legal action. For example, there was a recent outcry because the latest “Medal of Honor” game allowed players to play as Taliban fighters; the producer subsequently changed the game.
