Cyber Seizure Awareness Project
HEAR OUR AUDIO PRESENTATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE:
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/ryanslattery/Presentation.mp3
Who we are:
We are a group of Harvard University students who would like for you to be aware of you rights or limited rights in Second Life.
What we believe:
We believe the intent of Linden Lab’s Terms of Service is to protect the virtual reality environment created for the enjoyment and creativity of SecondLife citizens and ensure operating policies that stabilize that environment to the greatest degree possible. Like all corporations, Linden Labs must also protect their corporation and limit potential liabilities to the fullest extent of the law.
What does it mean to you?
Consequently, there are some items in the Terms of Service that we think you should be aware of for your own protection and understanding. Additionally, many of the protective consumer laws that you assume or take for granted in real life commerce do not exist in the internet environment or Second Life.
Our Goal?
Understanding that the average user of any product rarely reads the entire Terms of Service we’ve created this Kiosk in an effort to help you become a fully informed user of SecondLife.
Facts you should know:
Fact 1: Linden Dollars are not real currency and only have value if Linden Labs deems it to be so.
Linden Labs currency or “Linden Dollars or L$” is not real currency and instead is legally described as a feature of the product, Second Life, for which you are granted rights of use at the discretion of Linden Labs. (see Terms of Service section 1.4 for more information)
Fact 2: Linden Labs can seize all of your inworld assets financial and otherwise.
Because use is at the discretion of Linden Labs, you could potentially “lose” all of your Linden Dollars if Linden Labs choose to seize those dollars. Currently, there is no formal recourse or legal framework for you to seek a reversal in such a decision. (see Terms of Service section 1.4 for more information)
Fact 3: You could lose all of your real financial assets earned or saved in Second Life that could be turned into real dollars.
Currently you can turn Linden Dollars into real us dollars by using the LindeX. The exchange rate is set by Linden Labs and can be changed or completely eliminated at any time leaving you potentially unable to convert Linden Dollars into real US dollars as many Second Life businesses routinely do. Again, these actions are at the full discretion of Linden Labs and without any legal oversight or jurisdiction by any legal entity. (see Terms of Service section 1.4 for more information)
Fact 4: You could be blocked from all currency transactions.
Linden Labs has the right to refuse any buy or sell order for currency and can also reverse any previous transaction at their will and discretion. This could leave you unable to conduct business, exchange currency or receive payments owed you for commerce in world. (see Terms of Service section 1.5 for more information)
Fact 5: You could lose access to Second Life for any reason.Linden Labs has the right to suspend or cancel service to an account at any time. Additionally, they have no obligation to provide service that you have paid for should they choose not to provide service. Should you need access to SecondLife to conduct business, finalize transactions, or liquidate assets, you might find yourself unable to do so in the event Linden Labs chooses to cancel your access at any time for any reason with no obligation or liability to the account holder. (see Terms of Service sections 1.6 and 2.6 for more information)
Fact 6: Second Life has real potential in many regards, but as with any product or service a Buyer Should Be Aware of the limitations and liabilities.
TERMS OF SERVICE SECTIONS FOR REFERENCE
1.4 Second Life “currency” is a limited license right available for purchase or free distribution at Linden Lab’s discretion, and is not redeemable for monetary value from Linden Lab.
You acknowledge that the Service presently includes a component of in-world fictional currency (“Currency” or “Linden Dollars” or “L$”), which constitutes a limited license right to use a feature of our product when, as, and if allowed by Linden Lab. Linden Lab may charge fees for the right to use Linden Dollars, or may distribute Linden Dollars without charge, in its sole discretion. Regardless of terminology used, Linden Dollars represent a limited license right governed solely under the terms of this Agreement, and are not redeemable for any sum of money or monetary value from Linden Lab at any time. You agree that Linden Lab has the absolute right to manage, regulate, control, modify and/or eliminate such Currency as it sees fit in its sole discretion, in any general or specific case, and that Linden Lab will have no liability to you based on its exercise of such right.
1.5 Second Life offers an exchange, called LindeX, for the trading of Linden Dollars, which uses the terms “buy” and “sell” to indicate the transfer of license rights to use Linden Dollars. Use and regulation of LindeX is at Linden Lab’s sole discretion.
The Service currently includes a component called “Currency Exchange” or “LindeX,” which refers to an aspect of the Service through which Linden Lab administers transactions among users for the purchase and sale of the licensed right to use Currency. Notwithstanding any other language or context to the contrary, as used in this Agreement and throughout the Service in the context of Currency transfer: (a) the term “sell” means “to transfer for consideration to another user the licensed right to use Currency in accordance with the Terms of Service,” (b) the term “buy” means “to receive for consideration from another user the licensed right to use Currency in accordance with the Terms of Service,” (c) the terms “buyer,” “seller”, “sale” and “purchase” and similar terms have corresponding meanings to the root terms “buy” and “sell,” (d) “sell order” and similar terms mean a request from a user to Linden Lab to list Currency for sale on the Currency Exchange at a requested sale price, and (e) “buy order” and similar terms mean a request from a user for Linden Lab to match open sale listings with a requested purchase price and facilitate completion of the sale of Currency.
You agree and acknowledge that Linden Lab may deny any sell order or buy order individually or with respect to general volume or price limitations set by Linden Lab for any reason. Linden Lab may limit sellers or buyers to any group of users at any time. Linden Lab may halt, suspend, discontinue, or reverse any Currency Exchange transaction (whether proposed, pending or past) in cases of actual or suspected fraud, violations of other laws or regulations, or deliberate disruptions to or interference with the Service.
1.6 Second Life is subject to scheduled and unscheduled service interruptions. All aspects of the Service are subject to change or elimination at Linden Lab’s sole discretion.
Linden Lab reserves the right to interrupt the Service with or without prior notice for any reason or no reason. You agree that Linden Lab will not be liable for any interruption of the Service, delay or failure to perform, and you understand that except as otherwise specifically provided in Linden Lab’s billing policies posted at http://secondlife.com/corporate/billing.php, you shall not be entitled to any refunds of fees for interruption of service or failure to perform. Linden Lab has the right at any time for any reason or no reason to change and/or eliminate any aspect(s) of the Service as it sees fit in its sole discretion.
2.6 Linden Lab may suspend or terminate your account at any time, without refund or obligation to you.
Linden Lab has the right at any time for any reason or no reason to suspend or terminate your Account, terminate this Agreement, and/or refuse any and all current or future use of the Service without notice or liability to you. In the event that Linden Lab suspends or terminates your Account or this Agreement, you understand and agree that you shall receive no refund or exchange for any unused time on a subscription, any license or subscription fees, any content or data associated with your Account, or for anything else.