Computer/Law Institute

Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam

english

mr dr A.R. Lodder

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Second Life and other three dimensional visual worlds: next phase for Online Dispute Resolution?

A.R. Lodder, In Proceedings of the Fourth International Workshop on Online Dispute Resolution (ODRworkshop.info), pages 59-62, 2007.

Virtual communities and virtual worlds have become popular places on the internet, with some visited even more than Google. The virtual worlds offer opportunities to Online Dispute Resolution. With the advent of the virtual worlds, virtual conflicts ask for an adequate online resolution mechanism: a virtual courtroom. Insights from Online Dispute Resolution research can be applied in developing such a courtroom. The interesting aspect about these environments is that they are electronic by nature but that they look and feel like the real world. As such they might be able to bridge the gap between online and offline dispute resolution. This paper elaborates upon the potential of ODR in three dimensional worlds.