B.C. resident Melanie Cameron launched a lawsuit May 15 to protect her artistic creations that she sells in the virtual reality computer game Second Life.
Initially, Cameron didn't know who to sue. So she took action against an unknown individual who controls the avatar Gala Phoenix and operates a business within Second Life known as Curio. That individual has, since February 2009, been selling "avatar skins which substantially reproduce" Cameron's creative work, she alleged in her May 15 notice of civil claim.
Cameron then learned that the person is Kansas City resident Gala Perry, and she amended her lawsuit June 4 to name Perry.
Cameron alleges that:
•Perry sold avatar skins under the brand name Curio using various product names, including Jasmine, MardiGras and Yum; and
•Perry's sales have been conducted without Cameron's consent and without naming Cameron as the creator.
Cameron is seeking a declaration that she owns a copyright for her works. She also claims damages for copyright infringement as well as moral rights infringement.
Cameron wants the court to grant an order that restrains the defendant from selling the skins.
None of these allegations has been proven in court.
No statement of defence had been filed by press time.
