关涉隐私利益的网络虚拟财产继承问题探讨

Discussion on the Inheritance of Network Virtual Property to Privacy Interest

在互联网时代,关涉隐私利益的网络虚拟财产继承是完善继承体系必须解决的课题之一。在传统主流观点中,包括关涉隐私利益的网络虚拟财产在内的任何类型的网络虚拟财产均具备可继承性。民法总则第127条对网络虚拟财产属性的界定似乎印证了此种观点。然而,关涉隐私利益的网络虚拟财产与一般网络虚拟财产不同,不仅承载着财产利益,而且承载着网络用户的隐私利益,对其继承的承认将可能引发"多米诺效应",给法学理论和市场秩序稳定带来不可预期的风险。在成本与收益面前,传统主流观点不应被视为解决该类财产继承问题的最佳路径,不加区分承认网络虚拟财产的继承本身是对现行立法精神的误读。因而,在未来的立法修订中,应区分网络虚拟财产的类型,否认关涉隐私利益的网络虚拟财产的可继承性。

In the Internet age, the virtual property inheritance of privacy interests is the inevitableproblem of inheritance system. In the mainstream view, any type of cyber virtual property, including thenetwork virtual property related to the privacy interests, is inheritable, and the definition of the networkvirtual property attribute in Article 127 of the Civil Code seems to confirm this view. However, thevirtual property related to privacy interests is different from the general virtual property of the network.It not only carries the property interests but also carries the privacy interests of the network users. Therecognition of its inheritance will cause the ＂domino effect＂ and brings unpredictable risks to the legaltheory and the stability of the market order. In the face of cost and benefit, the traditional mainstreamview should not be regarded as the best way to solve the problem of inheritance of such property. It willmisunderstand the original legislative spirit without distinction between recognition of the virtualproperty of the network itself. Therefore in the future legislative amendments, it is necessary todistinguish the type of network virtual property and deny the privacy interests of the network of virtualproperty inheritance.