Legality advises on launch of Mancunia
in Second Life
02 August 2007 04:39 PM Filed in:
Press Releases
Legality Solicitors
(http://www.legality.biz), the UK’s first virtual law firm, has
recently provided advice to BJL Group Limited, the largest
independent advertising agency outside London, on the legal issues
surrounding the creation of ‘Mancunia’, based on a famous part of
Manchester, in Second Life.
Mancunia (
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mancunia/128/128/0),
which launched earlier this week, replicates the Deansgate area of
Manchester centred around the mile-long road running through the
city centre. The BJL office in Mancunia provides a creative
thinking space where individuals can share their innovative
ideas.
Drawing on its expertise of dealing with the legal issues posed by
Second Life and other virtual worlds, and the use of Web2.0
generally, Legality advised BJL how to protect their investment in
Mancunia, and how to safeguard the intellectual property rights of
BJL’s clients wishing to advertise and establish a presence in
Second Life.
Mark Roberts, managing director of Legality, comments:
"Second
Life is rapidly becoming a powerful online tool for a range of
business and marketing activity . With over five million users, it
is widely touted as the internet's next big thing. With Gartner
Research predicting that, by 2011, four of every five internet
users will actively participate in Second Life or a similar medium,
it is hardly surprising that many businesses are looking to
establish a presence that replicates their offline
operations.”
He adds:
“However, real-world participants in virtual worlds
want to know how to protect their business from a range of legal
pitfalls – from copyright infringement to liability for statements
made by employees online. Legality provides informed and
comprehensive advice in all these areas.”
As a niche practice specialising in technology law, Legality can
advise companies on the legal steps required to establish a
presence in virtual worlds. This includes advising on agreements
with software developers and other professionals, e-commerce
matters, intellectual property rights, brand protection and
licensing, privacy, data protection and related employment
issues.
Mr Roberts adds:
“At present, very few law firms have true
experience in Second Life and similar media. Clients may find it
difficult to source a suitable lawyer, and could end up paying for
their chosen solicitor to climb a steep learning curve – before the
real work even gets started. Legality has the existing knowledge
and expertise. We speak our clients' language and operate at the
cutting edge of digital technology.”
Legality provides a free one hour consultation to all new
clients.