Submitted by Triss Gray on Tue, 04/11/2008 - 23:10
Posted in
Hey,
you may remember trhat some while ago there was talk of metaplace, an upcoming virtual worlds system that's both based on open technology and protects the rights of it's users. They are still in development, but currently it is possible to register as a beta tester: https://www.metaplace.com/application
www.metaplace.com:
Metaplace is the world's first open platform that harnesses the power of the Web to allow anyone to create, build and live in their own unique virtual world. Our vision is to enable users to build a network of worlds - from community to games to education to business -- creating an ecosystem where they collaborate, socialize and conduct commerce forming new societies and economies as we do in the real world today.[/quote]
http://www.massively.com/2008/09/15/agdc08-on-avatar-rights-and-virtual-...
Raph offers up the Metaplace terms of service as an example. They're actually going to use the 'rights of users' he proposed some years back, they allow builders to own their content, they're not going to spy on them, and they're going to be allowed to develop their own TOS. Additionally, there's a whole additional layer for the players, that guarantees many of the same rights to players. "The final part is basically a part that says 'don't break the law in every country in the world', because you don't know where they're connecting from."
An update: Today I got an
An update:
Today I got an invitation to join the beta test, I'll go check out metaplace and report back on what it is like...
This is it's TOS:
Terms of Service
Unless the fabric of the virtual space is threatened and so long as world creators and users are not in violation of the EULA or relevant national or local law, we will endeavor to provide our world creators and users with the following rights. Metaplace also encourages that world creators and users meet certain responsibilities as set forth below.
Rights of world creators:
1. Freedom of speech.
2. Peacefully represent their religious beliefs, but not to the exclusion or disparagement of others.
3. Reasonable processes to resolve grievances with Metaplace.
4. Own their intellectual property.
5. Create and destroy their own world at their discretion with no liability to Metaplace or users.
6. To be the sovereign power of their created worlds and subject to rights reserved by others to have full power and authority in their created worlds.
7. Earn and extract economic value from created worlds.
8. To be secure in their created worlds so that communications, designated private spaces, and effects, are protected against unreasonable snooping, eavesdropping, searching and seizures. Any such activity will only be undertaken with good reason, such as investigating the violation of the EULA, these Terms of Service, or applicable laws.
9. The enumeration in this document of rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by world creators.
10. Set up worlds with their own rule sets that may differ from the rules here, so long as they make that rule set available to world users and do not violate the EULA. Any Terms of Service that deviates from the standard Terms of Service must be displayed for world users.
Responsibilities of world creators:
1. Not to harm minors in any way or simulate harm to minors.
2. Know, understand, and follow applicable laws, including but not limited to the laws of the United States, as well as the EULA and this Terms of Service.
The Terms of Service below is the default for all worlds unless you have created your own Terms of Service.
Rights of Users:
1. Freedom of speech.
2. Freedom of assembly.
3. Peacefully represent their religious beliefs, but not to the exclusion or disparagement of others.
4. Reasonable processes to resolve grievances with Metaplace and world creators.
5. Own intellectual property they create in a world.
6. Freely depart worlds as they desire.
7. To be treated equally and not discriminated against on the basis of sex, race, or national origin.
8. To be innocent of any violation until proven guilty.
9. To be secure in their persons so that communications, designated private spaces, and effects, are protected against unreasonable snooping, eavesdropping, searching and seizures. Any such activity will only be undertaken with good reason, such as investigating the violation of the EULA, these Terms of Service, or applicable laws.
10. The enumeration in this document of rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by users.
Responsibilities of Users:
1. Not to harm minors in any way or simulate harm to minors.
2. Know, understand, and follow applicable laws as well as the EULA and this Terms of Service.
Last updated July 7, 2008
If anyone else is interested
If anyone else is interested in a metaplace beta key (with which you can join this beta test), I believe I have some spare invites... let me know here if you want one!
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