Video Games, Virtual Worlds and Social Media

Abstract:     
This newly added casebook chapter highlights changes in the online, interactive environments of computer games, virtual worlds, wikis and social media sites. It highlights questions regarding the constitutionality of state laws that criminalize the sale of ultra-violent content to minors; the power of the FTC to regulate testimonials in blogs; the scope of publicity rights claims by athletes and artists whose likenesses are used for video games; and the enforceability of end user license agreements affecting the ownership of content created by users of the games they play and sites they visit. Note cases and problems explore the current state of cyberspace, encouraging readers to consider how best to address copyright, publicity and regulations for ads embedded in video games, virtual worlds and social media – where virtual advertising is hosted within a virtual medium.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 54

Keywords: Computer Games, Virtual Worlds, Wikis, Social Media, Cyberspace, First Amendment, FTC, Advertising, TOS, EULA, Clickwrap, Shrinkwrap

JEL Classification: K2, K29, L82, L83, L86,O34

Accepted Paper Series