Category Archives: Video Games & Virtual Worlds

Estate Planning for Video Games and Virtual Worlds

Theft of Virtual Currency and Virtual Property

There can be significant financial value in digital property, and thieves have started to take notice. Below are a few recent news stories about stolen virtual currency and stolen virtual property. In June 2015, armed robbers stole $1,100 worth of … Continue reading

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Convertible Virtual Currency (Like Bitcoin) is Subject to U.S. Money-Laundering Rules

On March 18, 2013, the the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network released new interpretive guidance regarding “convertible virtual currency” for purposes of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). The BSA requires financial institutions in the United States to report cash transactions … Continue reading

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Defending Your Ownership and Privacy in Twitter (and Other Online Accounts)

If law enforcement demands the contents of your electronic communications or non–content records from your Twitter account, do you have standing to challenge the subpoena? A New York criminal court has said “no”—because you don’t have a proprietary interest in … Continue reading

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Update on Whether It’s a Crime for Fiduciaries to Access a Decedent’s Online Accounts

I’ve written previously that using an incapacitated or deceased person’s passwords to access that person’s online accounts may not be permitted under the Web service’s Terms of Service contract, and it might even be construed as “unauthorized access” under a … Continue reading

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Unique Virtual Sword Sells for $16,000 in Age of Wulin Video Game

I’ve written before about estate planning and charitable giving with video games and virtual worlds. Here’s another example of how valuable digital property can be—including virtual items in video games. In December 2011, the developers of the video game Age … Continue reading

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How to Delete Online Accounts and Digital Footprints

On November 10, 2011, Jeffrey A. Lambert posted a story at Maximum PC called How to Erase Your Digital Footprint. The article describes how much information Facebook, Google, and other companies collect about your Web browsing and other Internet activities, especially … Continue reading

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Ponzi Scheme in Online Video Game

In August 2011, thousands of players of the video game EVE Online found out that they were victims of an in–game Ponzi scheme. Players invested virtual currency in an in–game virtual company that paid out high returns supported by other … Continue reading

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Jim Lamm Quoted in Intellectual Property Magazine

In the April 2011 issue of Intellectual Property Magazine, I was quoted extensively in the article “Welcome to My World, Won’t You Come on In” by Catherine White (subscription or free trial registration required). The article discusses preserving e–mails, online … Continue reading

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Jim Lamm Interviewed on Public Radio: Your Digital Afterlife

On April 15, 2011, I participated in an hour–long panel discussion titled “Your Digital Afterlife” that was broadcast on public radio station WFAE 90.7 FM in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. Mike Collins, the host of the “Charlotte Talks” daily talk … Continue reading

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Estate Planning and Charitable Giving With Video Games and Virtual Worlds

Previously, I’ve written about estate planning for video games and virtual worlds, including the potential financial value that family members and fiduciaries should consider for inventory and estate tax return purposes. As I have mentioned before, Edward Castronova, associate professor … Continue reading

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