CopyBot

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CopyBot is a controversial debugging tool used to access the virtual world Second Life. It duplicates items in the Second Life world and later revisions with disregard of the permissions granted by the creator or owner.

Contents

[edit] Intended applications

CopyBot was originally created as a debugging tool by the libsecondlife development team,[1][2] and was created with such purposes in mind as an import/export or "backup" tool, or to assist in the development of AIs and NPCs.[1][3]

Possible uses of the import/export function:[2][4]
  • No reliance on Linden Lab for data backup services.
  • Importing content created on other grids such as the preview grid (currently Aditi, previously Siva).[5]
  • Importing content created on a locally installed simulator (and thus not having to rely upon the availability of official simulators).
  • Exporting one's own intellectual property to other environments.

[edit] External links

These intended official applications require creator and owner permission, and a response to a disclaimer before content can be copied.[2]

[edit] Unofficial application

The source-code for the official CopyBot was made available via the libsecondlife website. It was downloaded, edited and recompiled into the controversial application which was used to replicate objects and avatar appearances without permission.[6][7] This activity stimulated an emotional discussion in the Second Life community and numerous articles in the popular media. Residents also began selling links to the software in exchange for Linden Dollars[3] (L$), Second Life's virtual currency.[8]

CopyBot does not operate within the Second Life virtual world. It is written in C#,[9] not LSL. Software was distributed via third-party sites and services such as SL Exchange. Currently (April 2008) at least SL Exchange doesn't allow it to be distributed. And there are no known 'public' ways to get. There are programs which apparently use either original Copybot code (heavy modified) or this funcionality re-implemented AND some kind of (c) protection (i.e. allow only copying items/dropping restrictions if you are creator). This is an attempt to make what was the original 'supposed' intention of copybot (backup purposes). One of such programs is SecondInventory which is sold on SL Exchange.

[edit] Public reaction to CopyBot

  • Resident outcry and virtual protests quickly followed a meeting on November 13, 2006 after Linden Lab met with residents to discuss the use of Copybot.[7][3][10]
  • Several Second Life merchants are threatening to close up shop unless CopyBot is blocked by Linden Lab. Though the possibility of CopyBot's technical removal has been disputed in the past.[7][6]Linden Labs has chosen not to remove it.[11]


  • Moopf Murray claims to have been the subject of abuse and harassment from other Second Life Residents due to a product he created being used by the Residents selling links to the unofficial copybot program (the other Residents used a vendor created by Moopf).[12]
    • Moopf later claims to have had an official Abuse Report sanction filed against him by Linden Lab[13]
  • In 2007, University of Michigan law student Kurt Hunt published "This Land Is Not Your Land: Second Life, CopyBot, and the Looming Question of Virtual Property Rights" in the Texas Review of Entertainment and Sports Law. In his article, he argues that the CopyBot controversy highlights the extent to which developers and users of virtual worlds disagree on the appropriate legal status of virtual property. He also suggests that CopyBot provides perhaps the best example yet of how the instability of virtual worlds may threaten economic development and emerging property rights.[14]

[edit] Official Linden Lab statements

  • Cory Linden announced that using CopyBot or similar tools was in violation of Second Life's Terms of Service.[15]
    • You agree to use Second Life as provided, without unauthorized software or other means of access or use. You will not make unauthorized works from or conduct unauthorized distribution of the Linden Software.[16]
  • Despite the large volume of complaints left in the two CopyBot related blog entries,[7][15] as of November 16, 2006, Linden Lab reported that that had received only slightly more than 50 official complaints relating to the malicious use of CopyBot.[17]
  • On Friday, April 11th, 2008 laurap linden stated the following:
    • CopyBot Infringement - A Terms of Service Violation
    • Finally, to reiterate our policy on CopyBot: Any use of it to make infringing copies violates the Terms of Service and may result in suspension or banning of Second Life accounts. If you believe that a Resident has used CopyBot (or a similar application) to make infringing copies of your content, please file an abuse report and provide as much information as you can to support your claim. Although technology can’t prevent the copying of data drawn on your screen, we don’t tolerate Residents who seek to profit from infringing use of CopyBot.
    • We’re sometimes asked why Residents are allowed to have or sell copying devices. The answer is that there are legitimate uses of a copying mechanism. It’s the infringement that we don’t allow and won’t tolerate..[11]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Yamamoto, Baba (November 13, 2006). CopyBot. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  2. ^ a b c Yamamoto, Baba (November 15, 2006). libsecondlife and CopyBot. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  3. ^ a b c Au, Wagner James (November 16, 2006). Copying a Controversy. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  4. ^ Martin, SignpostMarv (November 15, 2006). Open Forum: CopyBot Controversy. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  5. ^ Community: Beta Test Grid. Linden Lab. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  6. ^ a b Terdiman, Daniel (November 15, 2006). 'Second Life' faces threat to its virtual economy. News.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
  7. ^ a b c d Linden, Robin (November 13, 2006). Copyrights and Content Creation in Second Life. Linden Lab. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  8. ^ LindeX: Currency Exchange. Linden Lab. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  9. ^ libsecondlife FAQ. libsecondlife. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  10. ^ Au, Wagner James (November 14, 2006). Open Form: CopyBot Controversy. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  11. ^ a b Linden, laurap (April 11, 2008). Protecting Your Copyrighted Content. Linden Lab. Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
  12. ^ Murray, Moopf (November 14, 2006). Open Forum: CopyBot Controversy. New World Notes. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  13. ^ Murray, Moopf (November 15, 2006). Open Forum: CopyBot Controversy. New World Notes. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  14. ^ Hunt, Kurt, This Land Is Not Your Land: Second Life, CopyBot, and the Looming Question of Virtual Property Rights, 9 Tex. Rev. Ent. & Sports L. 141, 2007.
  15. ^ a b Linden, Cory (November 14, 2006). Use of Copybot and Similar Tools a ToS Violation. Linden Lab. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
  16. ^ Terms of Service. Linden Lab. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  17. ^ Linden, Daniel (November 16, 2006). CopyBot Action. Linden Lab. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.

[edit] External links

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