Six of Second Life's top brands Eros Designs, RH Designs, Le Cadre Network, Nomine, PixelDolls and DE Designs are filing suit against Thomas Simon (known as avatar Rase Kenzo), and ten other as yet unidentified avatars. The suit was filed in Brooklyn, New York by attorney Frank Taney, a partner with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney who is representing Eros Designs against Volkov Catteneo, for similar copyright violation.

As long-time SLI readers are doubtless aware, there is no technological means that exists to guarantee prevention against copyright violation. Indeed, most such measures are usually bypassed or broken before they are even released into the wild. That leaves one forum for copyright violation - the same one that has always been there. The RL courts and the legal system.

This is the twenty-sixth in a series of mini-interviews with the residents of Second Life. For the most part, I'll try to leave the responses unedited, except where editing will grant greater clarity.

Following on the heels of yesterday's Resident Snapshot, introducing Sharona Medby, Iris Ophelia's mom! While I've not met her yet, I anticipate the massive fun we'll have, discussing the adorable things Iris used to do as a li'l one! Embarrassing Diaper Moments: Attack!

Your SL name: Sharona Medby

How did you first come to SL?: I was curious about what my daughter was doing in SL and decided to check it out. I ended up getting a new computer as a result. Rez is much better now.

How did you choose your name?: From an old song, My Sharona, and Medby just seemed a good fit.

What's your favorite thing about SL?: I would have to say the shopping. You have some amazing designers, and I enjoy how the clothes look on my avatar. I also like the online Chat feature. You meet some very interesting people on SL.

What do you like least about SL?: Nothing leaps out at me, really. I do not like violence and avoid areas with shooting.

Favorite hangout/store?: I enjoy the Shelter, and Pixel Dolls.

Name one new feature you'd like to see added to SL: More information for newbies on how to get your inventory in order.

Wired reports on Second Life's must-have stuff. Hah! Sorry I am going to insist you go read it and then point and laugh like a schoolyard bully at the attempt. Obviously the drawing up of a top ten may lead to a few fist fights between bloggers, but I would say there are some significant omissions from the list -- which cheats anyway by trying to encompass "freebies" as one all-encompassing category. Freebies are a must-have? Hmmmm.

The fact is, no must-have list is complete without Starax's wand, which is no longer available since his precipitous exit from Second Life after the changes to temp on rez affected his product so badly. No one can pretend to know why he left in the way he did, but I think that had he left feeling good about the world, he'd have left his things on sale in SL. As it is, there is a flourishing second hand market in Starax statues and transferable stuff. They are the new antiques of the virtual world, with art galleries offering to buy them up from the lucky owners. The most coveted item is the wand, which is not available to anyone who doesn't have one already, as it is not transferable. Anyone who wants to see it is welcome to contact me, and we'll have a wand party, as I was fortunate enough to find one in my Christmas stocking last year.

This is the ninth in a series of mini-interviews with the residents of Second Life. For the most part, I'll try to leave the responses unedited, except where editing will grant greater clarity.

Koshka Plisskin (or "Koshie"), was my first crush in SL. She was the first person who befriended me, gifted me my first hair (when I was still human!), and she was a gorgeous redhead (my weakness). She's been a good friend ever since, and I'm happy to be able to share her with the world with this mini-interview!

How did you first come to SL?: A friend of mine and I were looking for a new place to hang out online, and she came across it so we joined. The rest is history, literally. We have been here since Dec 04.

How did you choose your name?: Koshka has been my online name for a long time. It is Russian for 'cat' and I just love the way it sounds, so I brought it into SL as well. Most people call me Kos, Koshie, or Koshka: your choice.

What's your favorite thing about SL?: That you can be who you want to be and do what you want to do, the sky is the limit!

What do you like least about SL?: Griefers, weekly updates, drama, and Lag.

Favorite hangout/store?: Why, Koshie's Gentlemen's Club of course, and The Black Rose Inn for hangouts. Del Sol and Relic for furniture; Mischief and PixelDolls for clothes; ETD, Pazazz and Panache for hair; Sylfie's Prim Seduction for shoes.