Linden Labs
Attn Ginsu Yoon
Legal Department
Dear Sirs
I have a second life account that has purchased land on a Private Estate. The agreement with the estate owner is that we “own” this land, and can re-sell it. Our obligation is to pay the tier to them, and they then pay to Linden Lab. They no doubt pay less tier than they collect, but in return provide certain services.
I have no problem with the arrangement. The people involved are very nice folk and the service they provide is worth whatever extra tier they collect in my opinion. The other residents that I have spoken with seem to have the same opinion.
My concern is that Second Life / Linden does not provide any sort of Land Registry for this situation. As a result, the actual owners who have paid for the estate to Linden indirectly, though the “developer” have no record of this ownership with Linden.
I have some considerable experience with small businesses. With all good intent, some businesses are not successful. My concern is that there is no mechanism for Linden to advise the actual purchasers of the land of any problems that may arise due to non payment of tier for instance. In such a case, the estate can be re-possessed by Linden for non payment of tier without the owners being aware of any problems. In this instance the setup fees for the estate (for instance the $1695.00 paid to Linden) are lost, without, according to concierge, any recourse to recovery. This setup fee is obviously recovered by the developer through land sales to people like us.
I think it is important for Linden to establish a land registry to prevent such an occurrence. Such a registry could establish title and record covenants and agreements. In the case of non-payment of tier it would give “owners” an opportunity to know of non-payment of tier in order to recover land in jeopardy from such an action or lack of action.
This need not be complex, just a mechanism to record ownership on a more detailed level for private estates, and to provide feedback to said owners regarding overdue tier. This will help prevent issues from arising for both accidental and intentional misuse of the Private Estate concept in Second Life.
This need not even be a required registry for Private Estates; if it were optional, one could make an informed decision; should I buy this one or that one. Making it an option should also mitigate any liabilities that may arise on the part of Linden Lab.
Please advise as to your thoughts.
Regards
Daly Kawaguichi