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© 2008 IBM Corporation
Chris Francis
Regulation and Public Policy issues around Virtual Worlds
© 2008 IBM Corporation
Why have a 3D Internet Regulatory debate now?
‘Laws are like sausages. It is better not to see them being made’ - Prince Otto von Bismark
‘Regulations rarely prevent what they ban’
The sausage machine EU Directive process:– Already covers many convergence issues– Slow to adapt or change– Broad (overlapping) in coverage
But generally brings certainty– Guarantees market access– Limits further intervention
Virtual worlds – the perfect test case
© 2008 IBM Corporation
The regulatory debate – business as usual
1. Existing real world objectives that can (and will) be achieved using traditional regulatory processes or business models
2. Objectives that increase in priority or importance owing to the virtual world setting (e.g. copyright)
3. Traditional real world objectives requiring new approaches or business models (e.g. consumer protection and cross-border trade)
4. New virtual world orientated objectives?
Regulatory principles:• Proportionate
• Harmonization (by best practice)
• Innovation friendly: Technology Neutral Business Model Neutral
© 2008 IBM Corporation
(R)Evolutionary issues
Playing a game or doing business?Entering debates with utility unproven and differing user
perspectivesConsumer rather than enterprise perspectives dominate
Limited providers aiming at ‘open’ useOften difficult to address issues of mainstream alternativesLack of competing governance models
Pace of innovation immense – cheap enough to ‘play’ with Immediate commoditisation, low barrier to entry, global from day one, perpetual ‘beta’
© 2008 IBM Corporation
Virtual World and 3D Internet – a spectrum
Real WorldGame World
Augmented RealityAugmented Virtuality
Data flows
Scripted Freeform
Plot
TelepresenceAnonymisation
Text system Voice systems
Identity & Communication
Accountability
Exchange rates
Complementary currenciesGold Pieces
Digital island
Interoperability
Persistence
Economy
User creations
Legal clarity
IPR/DRM
© 2008 IBM Corporation
Island
Where in which world?
ISP
ISP
Shop
Avatar
shopkeeperlandowner
ISP ISPShop assistant
© 2008 IBM Corporation
But how does it FEEL?
© 2008 IBM Corporation
Regulatory ComplianceEnvironment
Electronic Communication
Services
IPR
HR
Audio Visual
Data Privacy
Data Retention
Consumer law
Banking, e-money
© 2008 IBM Corporation
Governance, Risk and Voluntary areas – avoiding a backlash
Child protection
Trade disputes
© 2008 IBM Corporation
Power of Policy endorsement
Congressional Research Service Report, April 9, 2008, on “Avatars, Virtual Reality Technology, and the US Military: Emerging Policy Issues”
– VR allows large numbers of personnel to interact in a simulated face-to-face environment
– much lower cost than for a real-life face-to-face
– virtual world scenarios are also used to train (medical) personnel (for mass casualty events)
– therapy treatment for military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)… by immersing them back into the sights and sounds of simulated past battles.
© 2008 IBM Corporation
Experiment (state at play) now!
• Meetings– Travel displacement
– Productivity
– Collaboration
• Education– better use of expert educators and specialists
– address shortages of key STEM teaching disciplines
– life long learning
– 'at desktop' advantages combined with real time tutor groups and interactive and peer to peer support.
– simulation of expensive experiments, experiences or field trips.
• Communication• Therapeutic uses
© 2008 IBM Corporation
Power Up!
The Challenge Develop a new 3D virtual world, multiplayer, online game to get teens
excited about math, science, engineering and the environment
IBM developed and delivered PowerUp in February 2008
Free online game available to everyone
Developed in partnership with NY Hall of Science as part of TryScience initiative
Correlated to U.S. national science standards and developed with input from real high school students
Created six lesson plans for teachers to use in the classroom that connect directly with PowerUp
Extremely well-received by target audience
Selected as the Official Game of Earth Day 2008
powerupthegame.org