Manchester Evening News UK 3Jan 2007

Jan 06, 2007 10:01:55

Some online communities are based on computer games played by remote users via broadband. Weblo.com, however, is an online trading site that assigns commercial values to virtual representations of real world assets. Described as "Monopoly on Steroids", it operates a "finders keepers" policy of ownership, with the first person to register landmarks such as Old Trafford football ground or the Statue of Liberty able to sell them on. It is a formula which means that Scottish software developer William McGillivray is known to Weblo users as the virtual mayor of Stockport. Dealing He now takes a share of any Weblo dealings within the borders of Stockport. "I tried buying Manchester, but it was too expensive," he adds. "I then looked at Stockport as my friend is from there. I bought it to wind him up. It was a bargain at less than $10." Canadian entrepreneur Rocky Mirza, who created weblo.com, charges users varying amounts of money to take part. He missed out on the first dot.com boom but believes there's money to be made in the second gold rush. Users of his site can "manage" celebrity fan sites devoted to famous people, including David Beckham, and then take a share of advertising revenues.Weblo members also claim landmarks for themselves at a dollar a time, then sell them on. The Statue of Liberty recently changed hands for $250, with some of the money finding its way into Mirza's pocket. Manchester town hall, Old Trafford and the City of Manchester Stadium have already been bought and sold. People like William McGillivray believe it's a win-win situation - with money to be made by players and proprietors. Win-win However, some argue that living in cyberspace isn't quite as risk-free as people imagine, while others suggest that real life laws should apply in the virtual world. Paula James, of Manchester law firm Pannone LLP, says celebrities, and to a lesser extent, owners of well-known buildings, may have image rights which prevent unauthorised use of their name and likeness. There are also increasing concerns about criminal behaviour being replicated online. Dr Jo Bryce, the University of Central Lancashire's Cyberspace Research Unit, says technology is now allowing virtual communities to grow online in the same way traditional communities evolved outside cyberspace. Inevitably, she believes that some familiar social problems will also be replicated. "Some people will, perhaps, disappear into their bedrooms never to be seen again, but for most it is about finding new ways of managing their social life," she says. "Many younger people do not distinguish between their friends in the real world and their friends in cyberspace. If use is balanced, it is not something we should be worried about."