Virtual Crime

Turns out you can get fucked in virtual reality too.

Kevin Alderman created Eros LLC in the online "Second Life" world to give the avatars realistic genitalia and add some sexy moves to the virtual representatives which start out with the smooth anatomy of a plastic Barbie or Ken doll. But one of his creations, the SexGen Platinum, has become so popular that it's been illegally copied and sold by another avatar.

Alderman's lawsuit filed last month alleges an avatar named "Volkov Catteneo" broke the program's copy protection and sold unauthorized copies. The $45 SexGen animates amorous avatars in erotic positions. It is software code, written in the scripting language of "Second Life" and placed in virtual furniture and other objects. Avatars click on the object and choose from a menu of animated sex acts.

"We confronted him about it and his basic response was, 'What are you going to do? Sue me?'" Alderman said. "I guess the mentality is that because you're an avatar ... that you are untouchable. The purpose of this suit is not only to protect our income and our product, but also to show, yes, you can be prosecuted and brought to justice." Catherine Smith, director of marketing for "Second Life" creator Linden Lab, said she knew of no other real-world legal fight between two avatars.

On one hand, it makes sense to protect software and intellectual property, but on the other hand, the one that's jerking off on virtual porn, get a fucking "First Life".

Of course, the whole thing, once you get past the pathetic nature of the non-eventfulness of the online premise, creates an even slipperier slope. Will manufacturers litigate for copyright infringement, like clothiers? Or will people need to be savvy like Rockstar Games, whose Grand Theft Auto series has renamed versions of cars.

With no traditional game objectives, creator a free basic avatar for the user -- and everything else costs real money. Virtual money, called Lindens, can be exchanged with real dollars at an average rate of about 270 Lindens per $1 - what a great racket. Aside from mods and enhancements, virtual property and services are available.

At Alderman's "Second Life" shop, shoppers can try out a dragon bed powered by one of his SexGen engines. Along with programmers and designers, he employs a sales staff who hang around the shop like real salespeople to pitch the perfect sex toys. He is investing in a $25,000 motion-capture suit, a low-end version of one used to create digital characters in movies, to create more realistic sex moves for "Second Life" avatars.

No stranger to controversy, "Second Life" was rocked by a scandal over users who had modified their avatars to look like children and simulated pedophilia. And last month, Linden Lab shut down gambling after concerns arose that virtual games of chance might violate U.S. gambling laws when members cashed in Lindens for real money.