컴퓨터 게임의 법적 문제점에 관한 소고

Computer game, especially on-line game is more than the tool for entertainment or amusement and has got the position as the important property in the intellectual property area. Most of all, Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game(MMORPG) is located at the center of market for computer games. As the arising of MMORPG, the possibility of legal dispute is increasing also. At the first time of game industrial history, the copyright problem is located at the center of legal dispute related to game industry. But, nowadays, the battle field is enlarged to the problem such as publicity right area, trademark area, criminal area and patent area. Also, the addiction into the game makes the society to consider the role of LAW against the harm caused by game industry, especially in the area of trade of game item and addiction. In the past days, the leading issue in the area of copyright was wether the computer game could be protected as the audio-visual works, fine-arts works, music works and characters. But these arguments have been settled through the academical researchs and the leading case of courts. But, nowadays, new issues are arising continuously. Also in the area of copyright protection, many new argument are arising for the settlement of problem caused by MMORPG. Besides, the old protection system makes legal dispute of game industry more complicated and unsolved in the particular problems. Therefore, we should make more reasonable settlement system for the legal dispute in the area of game industry and this settlement system should consider the characteristics of game works.