Property in the Metaverse
Résumé
Implementing a form of ownership in the metaverse is a complex undertaking, if that word is to be taken in a legal sense. In order for ownership to exist, the metaverse must create scarcity while ensuring that the world is consistent enough, which requires mapping all assets and registering titles on a blockchain. However, ownership cannot thrive in a proprietary metaverse that, at the very best, grants its users personal licences akin to feudal titles. The only way in which an ownership system could be implemented is through a decentralised metaverse, which would have to solve all disputes internally since conflict of law rules are no help when it comes to solving virtual property disputes in the real world. Fortunately, the property rules that could be implemented, and the disputes could therefore arise, would be simplistic enough to be solved mostly, as far as property is concerned, within the metaverse.