New precedent: Dutch court convict 2 teens for virtual goods theft

Liddokun

http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/netherlands/081022-virtual-theft-is-real

Wow.. this is interesting news...

 

Coman

Lets hope it will stand if they appeal (if this wasn't the appeal already, and if there going to appeal). I believe this is a good verdict especialy if you take into consideration the fashion this happened.

streea

Wouldn't it have been easier to just try them for assult?

Roflan

I think they were. But there's a difference in beating someone up to take something from them and beating them up just because.

Darkholme

Interesting...

"Material object

The court dismissed the defence lawyer's argument and cited an earlier ruling that electricity can be considered a material object for the purposes of criminal law and stealing electricity is theft. The court ruled that the same principle can be applied in this case and stealing virtual Runescape items is theft as the owner was forced to hand over his possessions."

Personally I think this was a good ruling. I mean it's pretty obvious that when someone is willing to resort of physical violence and intimidation of another person to acquire something, then that something has some sort of value. Hence it should be considered a crimial theft. There are many valid and logically sound arguments that assign real value and ownership to virtual property that will stand up under legal scrutiny. I am just waiting for the first US case of this nature to receive press.