Friday furniture

The IPKat's friend Jim Davies was the first of many people to send him a link (see here and here) to news that one Dutch teenager was arrested, and another five questioned by police, for allegedly stealing virtual furniture from "rooms" in Habbo Hotel, a 3D social networking website. The value of the virtual theft is put at 4,000 euros, the real-world sum for which the virtual furniture was purchased. The six are suspected of moving the stolen furniture into their own Habbo rooms, after tricking victims into handing over their Habbo passwords by creating fake Habbo websites.

Says the IPKat, I don't recall reading anything about this in the Directive on copyright and the information society. Merpel adds, I'm disappointed that the suspects weren't dealt with by virtual police.


American celebrity Martha Stewart has apparently resolved the dispute between her company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and some of her neighbours concerning the scope of the company's intention to register the word KATONAH as a US trade mark. Her company can seek registration for furniture, mirrors, pillows and chair cushions, but has agreed not to pursue plans to register it for "hardware, paint, lighting and home textiles".


Left: a view of Katonah Avenue, Katonah


The problem is that Katonah is (i) the name of the village where Stewart lives and (ii) a 17th century Indian chief. Other residents objected to her using the name for commercial purposes and feared the trade mark would damage existing businesses. Some American Indians objected too [Merpel ponders, were they objecting or did they merely have reservations ...?].
The IPKat thanks his friend Miri Frankel for the link.