Corey Akula points me toward this interesting take on the whole CopyBot issue. The argument seems to be "Hey, if anyone can copy anything, we have no need for money, so everyone wins!" Comparing SL to Star Trek, however, has several problems with it.

First of all, the whole replicator issue is a bit specious, considering that (as is my understanding), you only really see replicators on Starfleet ships, therefore you have to be military to appreciate them; they're not available to all and sundry. Second of all, eliminating money is never the answer to a complex financial issue. Third of all, there is still an economy of artists to consider. One of the ways humans differentiate each other is by means of their creativity. If there is no way to attribute a piece of art to someone, what does that do to the concept of art?

There are many, many more issues here to discuss, and it's my duty merely to open the door. Chat it up, everyone ... I learn a lot just by listening to you!

(Thanks, Corey!)

Moopf Murray had an uncomfortable day yesterday, when many people who ought to have known better IMd him accusing him of selling the CopyBot, because the people selling it in the store that was picketed yesterday had used one of his vendors.

For those who don't understand that explanation, a vendor will always show the creator of the vendor as the creator, because he made the vendor. So even if you go along and buy a vendor from Creator Man and fill it full of your stuff, it will still show Creator Man as the creator of the object because he made the vendor.

That other citizens should make this mistake and abuse the vendor maker roundly for selling the CopyBot is one thing. But now he has received a warning from LL for selling the CopyBot. It seems that they don't understand the concept that a vendor creator has no control over the contents of their vendors, and is not responsible for what their clients, who buy empty vendors, might put in them.

It is simply unbelievable that a warning has gone out to someone who is a creator too, and completely against the CopyBot and everything it stands for. This person is the most honest and upright person I know, and would no more rip off another creator than rip off his own left leg. Linden Lab should be collectively ashamed of themselves for sloppiness, stupidity and laziness. I hope they right this wrong and apologize --fast.

Edited to add Moopf's name with his permission.

Of course, the implied question is "Seriously, who's really lost sales because of it?" Right now, there are a ton of people who've closed shop because of this CopyBot scare, but how many of you have had your content stolen and resold so far?

By the way, if you recognize the guy on the right, please turn off your tv and get out into the Big Blue Room for some exercise.

The top story is still Copybot - a libsecondlife application that permits unauthorized duplication of Second Life content. Behavior on the Lindex has been - well, let's call it erratic with some signs of panic sales or quick cashing out. It will be interesting to see how that curve behaves over the next few days.

Linden Lab's Cory Linden issued a statement this afternoon on the official Linden blog that the use of copybot - and applications like it "to make unauthorized duplicates within Second Life" was a violation of the Second Life Terms of Service.

Of course, like another libsecondlife application in the past (the god mode hack), the actual sale or purchase of it is still fine, as are well ... in legal terms you'd call them 'non-infringing uses' - if, indeed, there are any of those at all.

There's no way to get the djinn back in the jug. Only to make it harder.

There is a furore going on in the SL forums because libSL have produced a CopyBot which allows complete copying of prim objects with textures and animations, which makes the copier the creator of the object, and have seen fit to release this on the community.

The geeks of libSL react with surprise that anyone could think that this might be used for evil purposes, and helpfully suggest that a DMCA takedown notice will solve the problems it creates. libSL for those who haven't come across it before, is the Linden-supported project reverse engineering SL's code for the good of the community ... or so they would have us believe. In their words: libsecondlife is a open source software project to allow the creation of third-party Second Life applications. They have also been a haven for griefers and exploiters, and many of those have been banned.

As with previous copying devices, it doesn't seem to cross the feeble brains of these people that other people's livelihoods in RL might depend upon their SL income. Those people who are living the dream that is promoted in every article, of earning a RL income from SL creations, are now living a nightmare in which their source of income may soon be worthless.