The law-making impulse of China’s Metaverse

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Abstract

The study identifies several legal problems and issues, the relevance of which increases with the publication of the concept and roadmap for building the Chinese metaverse. Methodologically, the work uses an inductive method that allows us to predict the legal complications and uncertainties generated by this project. Based on a description of its guiding ideology, goals, key technologies, main approaches, and the authors’ work experience in the legal investigation of information technology innovations. A comprehensive analysis of sources of scientific information made it possible to establish and analyze a set of Chinese legal acts designed to regulate relations in cyberspace. As a result of the study, it was possible to identify several pressing legal issues related to the formation of the Chinese metaverse and formulate a position on how to resolve them. The list of legal problems for in-depth research included the regulations of personal data, systems for identifying and authenticating users based on biometric information, the automation of the circulation of copyrights in cyberspace, organizing an artificial shortage of digital goods, anti-competitive behavior and monopolistic aspirations of the builders of metaverses. The scientific novelty of the work is the development of directions for overcoming the discovered legal risks and problems that arise in the new, previously unknown technogenic environment of human existence. The practical results of the article conclude with clarifications of current legislation provisions and the development of new legal rules for the regulation of the Chinese metaverse.

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About the authors

Ruslan A. Budnik

National Research University Higher School of Economics; MSU-SPI University in Shenzhen; Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Author for correspondence.
Email: rbudnik@hse.ru

Doctor of Law, Professor, Deputy Director of the International Scientific and Educational Center “UNESCO Department of Copyright, Related, Cultural and Information Rights”, Professor of the Department of Digital Technologies and BioLaw, Professor at the Center for Comparative Law, Chief Researcher at the Center for Comparative Government Studies

Russian Federation, 3 B. Trekhsvyatitelsky Lane, 123022 Moscow; 518172 People’s Republic of China, Guangdong Province, Shenzhen, Longgang District, Dayunxincheng, 1 Guojidaxuyuan str.; Moscow

Astamur A. Tedeev

Lomonosov Moscow State University; MSU-SPI University in Shenzhen; Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: ast7819@gmail.com

Doctor of Law, Professor, Professor of the Department of State Audit of the Higher School of State Audit (Faculty), Professor at the Center for Comparative Law, Chief Researcher at the Center for Comparative Government Studies

Russian Federation, 1, bld. 13 (4th academic building) Leninskiye Gory, 119991 Moscow; 518172 People’s Republic of China, Guangdong Province, Shenzhen, Longgang District, Dayunxincheng, 1 Guojidaxuyuan str.; Moscow

Zhang Zhan

MSU-SPI University in Shenzhen

Email: zhan.zhang@yandex.ru

Doctor of Political Sciences, Researcher at the Center for Comparative Law

China, 518172, Guangdong Province, Shenzhen, Longgang District, Dayunxincheng, 1 Guojidaxuyuan str.

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