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Second Life avatar seeks trademark registration
For the first time in the popular world of Second Life, the online virtual community, a personal avatar (a net person) is seeking trademark protection for her appearance.
Alyssa LaRoche, or Aimee Weber in the virtual world, runs a design studio in Second Life. It is this virtual business that has prompted her to seek trademark registration.
If the application were to be successful, it would mean that the appearance of 'Aimee Weber' would not be able to change.
As a rule in Second Life, trademark rights are not enforced. In fact many companies within the world, actively request that there name is used – in effect providing free advertising.
Until a 'virtual world' case goes to court, it is very difficult to assess where the law will stand on the issue. Furthermore, it is believed that any virtual trademarks will remain in legislative effect in the virtual world only.
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