The UK Court of Appeal has delivered a landmark ruling, confirming that virtual currency, specifically RuneScape gold, qualifies as legally recognized ‘property’ under the Theft Act 1968. This pivotal decision stems from a major theft case involving the appropriation of digital assets estimated to be worth approximately $750,000.
In the case, which centered on the unauthorized access and theft of large quantities of the in-game currency, defence counsel had argued that the virtual gold did not meet the traditional common law definition of property. They contended that because the assets are governed entirely by the game developer’s End-User License Agreement (EULA) and lack tangibility, they should not be considered property for the purpose of criminal prosecution.
The Court of Appeal firmly rejected this narrow interpretation. The judgment highlighted that RuneScape gold possesses clear, ascertainable economic value, is readily convertible into real-world fiat currency via third-party markets, and is subject to the control and disposal of the user. By meeting these criteria, the Court ruled that the asset falls within the scope of property capable of being stolen.
Legal experts suggest this ruling sets a crucial precedent for the jurisdiction of England and Wales, effectively modernizing the application of theft laws to the burgeoning digital economy. It confirms that the unlawful appropriation of valuable digital assets—including high-value in-game currencies, cryptocurrency, and other transferable virtual items—can now be prosecuted fully as theft under existing UK legislation.
Source: UK Court of Appeal Rules that RuneScape Gold is Property in $750K Theft Case
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