Virtual Property Protection In The Metaverse

The development of science and technology has brought challenges to the existing laws.The value of virtual property is more prominent in the Metaverse space.In the Metaverse,virtual property includes not only money that can be circulated,but also movable and real property purchased in the metaverse.In real life,the act of stealing movables is in line with the constitutive requirements of larceny,but the act of stealing immovable property is not possible and immovable property cannot be the target of the crime of larceny.However,the act of stealing immovable property is easy to happen in the Metaverse,because immovable property in the Metaverse is virtual,as long as the doer transfers possession,he can obtain the immovable property.It can be used as the object of theft.There are various means of theft in the Metaverse.The most significant difference between the traditional means of theft is the use of artificial intelligence to steal.The emergence of strong artificial intelligence also brings the possibility for artificial intelligence to become the subject of crime.Whether the perpetrator steals by using the virtual avatar in the Metaverse or by using artificial intelligence or other technical means,his behavior is illegal and needs to be held accountable.It is also worth discussing whether the act of artificial intelligence independently stealing virtual property in the Metaverse can be applied to the crime of theft.Due to the virtuality and openness of the Metaverse,the responsibility for the theft of virtual property will involve jurisdiction and law application.The metacosmic space is a global shared platform.People from all countries will use virtual personas to carry out activities in the metacosmic space.Therefore,aiming at the theft in the metacosmic space,it will concern whether our country has the jurisdiction and the application of current laws if it has the jurisdiction.This paper analyzes the particularity of the subject,object and objective aspects of the theft of virtual property in the Metaverse,and suggests expanding the applicable scope of the theft crime.On the basis of respecting the sovereignty of all countries,we should moderately expand jurisdiction to protect the legitimate rights and interests of our victims.In addition,we need to strengthen multi-perspective supervision and strengthen the responsibilities of various departments to create a safe and stable Metaverse.