Is Linden Lab's proposed content rating system in trouble before it begins?

Posted by Bettina Tizzy

Miss Tateru Nino still has not been able to find two people who can agree on Linden Lab's proposed definitions of PG and Mature for Second Life® content, according to her just-published post on Massively regarding the anticipated rating system.

One point that came up in conversation with her last week is that, and this is a direct quote: "The G, PG, PG-13, R and NC-17 ratings were established for rating motion pictures and may only be used in connection with motion pictures that have been rated by CARA" (See Section 1A). Tateru asked, "In theory, PG sims should be marked PG®? I mean, if we're following trademark rules and all..."

"That's why things like games in the USA don't use the same codes," added Tateru.

Could Linden Lab's proposed rating system be stepping on an even bigger entity's toes?

What will happen to art?

Posted by Bettina Tizzy

Linden Lab posted "Upcoming Changes for Adult Content" tonight and not surprisingly, the virtual world they govern is exploding in conversation and worries about it.

The issue is actually not new to Second Life® or to art, even.

In September 2007, artist Cheen Pitney had to move the bathing nude statue he had created to a mature sim within Burning Life, Second Life's answer to Burning Man. The statue had been censored.



What will the new rules mean to art on the grid? How many artists will have to move their works from the mainland? Will Cheen's bathing beauties be okay on a PG sim that houses an art museum, for example, or will they be relegated to Mature sims or... horrors... ADULT?

Where will Linden Lab draw the line about clothing and skins? Xiamara Ugajin's skin "Black Bird" was created first and foremost as a work of art. Where on the grid will this be okay?



What will happen to art?