UK Court Recognizes Old School RuneScape Gold as Property in Theft Case
A landmark ruling from a UK court has established that gold from Old School RuneScape can be classified as property for legal purposes, particularly in cases of theft. This decision comes following allegations against a former Jagex developer for stealing and selling an enormous quantity of in-game currency valued at over $700,000.
Background of the Case
The ruling was derived from a judgment on January 14 concerning an ex-employee of Jagex, the company responsible for Old School RuneScape. The individual is accused of illegally accessing 68 player accounts to siphon off vast sums of RuneScape gold, which were subsequently sold in exchange for Bitcoin on the black market.
Value of Virtual Currency
Jagex argued that the stolen in-game currency possesses a substantial real-world value due to its recognized trading price on illicit platforms. Conversely, the defense claimed that since in-game currency is intangible, it cannot be categorized as property under UK law.
Court’s Interpretation of Property
As highlighted in reports by PC Gamer, Lord Justice Popplewell emphasized the need for a broad interpretation of property as defined by the Theft Act 1968. He determined that property could include intangible assets, which are understood to be susceptible to theft.
Legal Implications on In-Game Currency
The court’s findings indicated that RuneScape gold is frequently traded both within the game and in real-world exchanges, which facilitates the possibility of dishonest transactions. Thus, the act of stealing and converting substantial amounts of gold into cryptocurrency was classified as theft.
Understanding the Value of Player Progression
In its judgment, the court elaborated on the mechanics of Old School RuneScape, noting that player advancement requires significant time and effort, thereby attributing practical value to in-game wealth, even in the absence of a recognized real-world worth.
Conclusion: A Precedent for Digital Property Rights
Although this ruling does not automatically extend to all cases involving virtual items, it sets a noteworthy precedent in how UK courts may approach the classification and treatment of digital game currencies, especially when tied to actual financial transactions and trading.
