再论网络虚拟财产的法律性质——以玩家对网络游戏装备享有的权利性质为视角

The License Right of Players With Respect to Online Game Items——From the Perspective of the Nature of the Rights of Players to Online Game Items

网络游戏装备作为网络游戏的重要组成部分,是玩家获取的主要对象。随着网络游戏产业的发展,司法实践中因盗取或者转让网络游戏装备的纠纷时有发生,法院对于此类纠纷的判决也无统一标准,学者们关于玩家对网络游戏装备享有权利的法律性质亦存在不同认识。从著作权法的角度来看,网络游戏是计算机软件,属于作品,网络游戏创作者对其享有著作权,该专有权自然及于作为网络游戏组成部分的网络游戏装备。玩家基于游戏服务协议,对网络游戏及其装备享有在一定期限和条件下的非排他性许可使用权。

Online Game items, as the core elements of online games, are the main objects to be obtained by players. With the development of online game industry, there exist a huge number of of disputes over online game items in judicial practices, such as the theft and transfer of game items. There is no uniform judicial standard for such disputes at all levels, and academic viewpoints are varying with respect to the legal nature of the right entitled to players in respect of online game items. Online Game providers shall enjoy the exclusive right to online games which are considered to be creative works under the copyright law. Online Game items as components of online games shall be protected by such exclusive rights. Online Game players shall have non-exclusive license right to online games according to the provisions of End User License Agreements (EULAs). So players shall enjoy the right to the use of inner game items in a certain period of time and conditions on the basis of the provisions provided in the EULAs.