Three systems that should protect us. None of them do.

If people are going to be treating these assets like "investments," we need to talk honestly about how fragile they really are.

Legally, this is all allowed. Digital items are licenses, not property, so property law doesn’t protect you. Consumer protection is sidestepped through dense EULAs. And financial regulations don’t apply because these markets don’t fit neatly into securities law.

Look at the recent $2B Counter-Strike 2 crash. Valve tweaked one mechanic that made it easier for players to create top-tier items. Even before new items appeared, the expectation of extra supply triggered a market-wide selloff.

No hack. No scandal. Just one update and billions in value vanished.

More details about "The Metaverse: What Everyone Needs to Know," including its table of contents is available at the OUP website: global.oup.com/academic/pro...

"Property Defaults"

This project explores the theoretical & doctrinal tools that property law can still use to fight back. Property defaults resist corporate customization & restore stable ownership expectations—especially in a world of software-laden "conduit goods." Draft available upon request.

"Defragging Ownership: How Corporations Sliced, Diced, and Sold the Bundle"

From Spotify car accessories to $100k exoskeletons, this paper maps the structural tactics used to destroy ownership. What used to be "mine" is now leased, licensed, geo-fenced, and surveilled. SSRN: lnkd.in/gw2-cpYx

Over the next 3 Fridays (April 11, 18, & 25), we’ll explore cutting-edge questions about how technology shapes—& is shaped by—private law theory, doctrine, & policy.

Each session runs from 1:30 to 3:30 PM Eastern (US).

Join us for any or all of the sessions by registering on privatelawtech.org.

Of course, there are may be legitimate reasons for these unique results, but public perception is important—especially in a democracy. Law enforcement, courts, and the government in general need to pay more attention to the perception of legitimacy and the rule of law. 5/

Unfortunately, many people are murdered in New York City every year. According to the NYPD, there were 141 murders in 2024 & 170 in 2023.

Yet, only the murder of a CEO triggered such a massive response from law enforcement and coverage by the media. 4/

This just adds to the public's anger. It underscored a pattern of unequal treatment, especially after the Luigi Mangione saga. The sheer amount of police & prosecutorial resources poured into finding, arresting, and charging him also rubbed people the wrong way. 3/

Usually, legal cases involving presidents are so unique they hide that courts have *always* treated presidents differently. This case is also unique but in its normalcy. As a state felony case, it shone bright neon lights on the unequal application of criminal law. 2/

The VR headsets and simulation were actually used in a pre-trial hearing rather than during the jury trial, which will take place in February. gizmodo.com/florida-judg...