Looking for lawyer/someone well versed with SL copyright law and similar.

I am looking to get some advice from someone either with a legal background, or who has a total knowledge of the SL copyright rules/laws, specifically relating to content creation. Please IM me in world with an approximate quote for a consultation.

I'm guessing that there are no real sl copyright laws.

There are some references in the terms of service:

"3.2 You retain copyright and other intellectual property rights with respect to Content you create in Second Life, to the extent that you have such rights under applicable law. However, you must make certain representations and warranties, and provide certain license rights, forbearances and indemnification, to Linden Lab and to other users of Second Life."

Copying and plagiarism is rampant. Even if something was enforcable in say, the US, it won't be in Australia or Japan. Unless LL is forced to get involved in some kind of enforcement, I'd not pay anyone for legal advice.

Just my 2 cents worth. Could be wrong though. Any other comments?

Seconded. You are correct and given the micro-prices of SL goods, even legal advice would probably cost more than you could ever recover.

It is galling to see your work ripped off and you wish that you could taste justice, it just isn't feasible.

A Vancouver Law Firm just opened a branch office in SL specializing in virtual property rights.
They also handle IP and do Entertainment Law.

IM me in world and I will give you the location.

To the best of my understanding (I am not a lawyer) in the US, an attorney cannot practice law in a state where they aren't admitted to the bar (e.g. a Nevada admitted lawyer may not practice in Utah).

As Second Life is either in no state or province, or in California, depending on your point of view, it is unclear to me that a Vancouver based firm can legally operate in SL. I'd love to be shown if I'm mistaken.

If I am correct, the "lawyers" in SL are just as legitimate as "banks" are in SL (meaning "not legitimate", and may be in violation of their provincial ethics rules. Securing the "services" of an SL attorney may grant you as much legitimate counsel as you could get from me. Incidentally, my fees start at L$75,000/hour plus expenses. Which brings me to my last point: any attorney who is going to work for SL prices, is probably worth exactly what you pay for him, legitimate or not.

You can file a DMCA grievance with Linden Labs. You'll find a link on the sl website. By law, if a copywrited item you own is being illegally duplicated and is inworld, Linden Labs must remove it. good luck.

Good point. I live in Vancouver and I approached them to do some work for me around my SL holdings. My future meetings will be in RL. I'm new to legal issues generally so this is good to know. It will be interesting what the legal VP precedents will be.
Thanks Malachi.