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Virtual avatars of a K-pop boy band filed a lawsuit, and won, claiming that they were defamed on social media even though they’re not real. Seriously. This is a thing that actually happened.
A social media user in South Korea was ordered to pay 500,000 won (approximately $360) by a judge for insulting the members of the virtual boy band Plave. The key word here again is “virtual.”
According to the BBC, Plave’s agency (yes, the virtual boy band has an agency) filed the defamation lawsuit had asked for 6.5 million won (around $4,700) for each of the five performers in the group because the comments on social media caused them emotional distress.
The real people behind the Plave virtual avatars got their feelings hurt
Among the alleged derogatory remarks made about the members of the virtual boy band Plave were comments that the members of the band that are behind the avatars “could be ugly in real life” and that they gave off a “typical Korean man vibe.”
The defendant argued that since the boy band members are, you know, virtual, it wasn’t possible to defame them. The defendant also claimed that they were insulting the avatars, not the real people behind them. The judge disagreed, stating that insulting the virtual avatar was the same as insulting the person behind it.
“The avatar in the era of the metaverse is more than a virtual image, but a way of expression of the user, one’s identity and one’s way of communicating with society,” the verdict read.
It also stated that the real identities of the virtual avatars have “become readily available to the masses” thanks to investigate journalists and amateur sleuths, that “it must be concluded that [the defendant] specifically targeted the plaintiffs.”
Plave’s agency, Vlast, said it plans to appeal the damages amount. The company claims that the case sets an important precedent for the defamation of virtual avatars. Read that again. They also stated earlier this year that “malicious comments, including insults and defamation, against Plave members, disclosure of artist personal information, and the spread of unfounded rumors” posted online will result in “strict legal action.”