Avoid the Metagame Trap: Understanding a Game Operator's Responsibilities When some uses your game in ways you didn't anticipate, what level of liability do you have? What are the legal issues, including criminal issues, at play for a game operator? How liable for grey-market trade is the game owner? This session will look at the degree to which game operators and owners are responsible for the actions of users outside the scope of intended play -- and ways to mitigate risk early on in the development timeline.

1. Digital Law Conference: September 24 at 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. J. Michael Monahan, II, Attorney, Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson Michael H. Pinkerton, COO, Metaverse Mod Squad Neal Black, General Counsel, Live Gamer Shane McGee, Partner, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP

2. Why is metagaming an important issue when discussing MMORPGs? Most MMORPG designers work within a carefully designed virtual universe, precisely balanced to give every player an equal opportunity to play and enjoy the game. Metagaming can upset that balance -- or enhance the experience -- depending on foresight of the designers and the type of metagaming at issue.

6. Hernandez v. Internet Gambling Entertainment, Ltd.,US Dist Ct WD FL, 2007 Playfish, Ltd. v. Gosumall Digital Entertainment, US Dist Ct WD TX, 2009

12. Digital Law Conference: September 24 at 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. J. Michael Monahan, II, Attorney, Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson Michael H. Pinkerton, COO, Metaverse Mod Squad Neal Black, General Counsel, Live Gamer Shane McGee, Partner, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP