Legal issues in the Metaverse: Law students take note! Free online courses!

Legal issues in the Metaverse: Law students take note! Free online courses!

The metaverse, a growing virtual world in which users can interact, trade and create content, is increasingly at the center of legal discussions. As part of the preparations for the international conference IEEE Metaverse, which will take place from August 18th to 22nd in Calgary, Canada, the Institute for Legal Informatics at Saarland University is now offering a free online short program for young lawyers. The Institute reports that the focus of the program is on the legal questions of the metaverse, which are often neglected in traditional German legal training.

The hybrid conference will take place both on-site and online, which will allow participants to submit their conference papers in English. Professor Georg Borges leads the program, which is aimed at students from the seventh semester onwards and law graduates. Other courses can also apply depending on availability.

Seminars and assignment of topics

The course offering includes an online seminar, which is held in German and deals with the creation of seminar papers on legal questions of the metaverse. Preliminary discussions and the assignment of topics are scheduled for February 24th and March 6th. Dr. Afolabi Adekemi will lead the courses on writing English-language conference papers, which will take place on several dates in March. Those interested can apply for a place via a written application with a CV and letter of motivation. Places are limited and participation is free.

In a broader context, a new report, produced in collaboration between the Council of Europe and the IEEE Standards Association, looks at the impact of the metaverse on human rights, the rule of law and democracy. This full report, “The Metaverse and its Impact on Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Democracy,” is now available and incorporates the perspectives of over 50 international experts. The report aims to inform policymakers and stakeholders and help them navigate the complex landscape of virtual realities.

Legal challenges in the metaverse

However, the metaverse also brings with it legal challenges that arise in the context of legal issues, such as trademark and copyright infringements, must be considered. Territorial laws are often national, while the metaverse operates globally. This leads to unclear ownership of virtual objects and new business models, such as trading NFTs, which raise additional legal questions.

Trademark rights are essential to protect logos and products from imitation, while copyright protects artists and designers from unlawful reproduction. Current risks in the metaverse include brand misuse and identity theft. Companies are therefore well advised to register their brands internationally and use monitoring tools to protect their rights.

Overall, it shows that the metaverse not only represents a new dimension of digital interaction, but also has profound legal implications that affect both users and companies. With the upcoming conference and the programs offered, the focus will be on the necessary legal discussion of these issues.