Susan Gibb has sent me this link to Wired’s coverage of a brewing suit involving Second Life.

Bragg v. Linden Research, a civil complaint filed May 1 in West Chester’s local district court, charges that Linden Lab “breached an auction contract by allowing the land to auction, accepting online payment, and then suspending plaintiff’s account.”

For its part, Linden Lab wouldn’t address specifics of the case. But general counsel Ginsu Yoon says the San Francisco company has retained attorneys in the matter. “We intend to contest this in the appropriate forum,” said Yoon. “We believe the suit to be without merit.”

Known inside Second Life as “Marc Woebegone,” Bragg has “in-world” real estate, nightclubs and other businesses. He says he paid $300 for a “sim,” a large plot of Second Life land that normally costs a minimum of $1,000.

Second Life is one of the only virtual worlds whose members legally own the content they create. A burgeoning trade in real estate, clothing, vehicles and other goods has led to a strong and growing in-game economy, supporting full-time businesses and real estate barons.

The world and its interesting systems and how they relate to spaces beyond bears watching.

Thanks Susan.