"Virtual Infringement" - Is it real? How to deal with IP infringement in Virtual Worlds

Karen Hallenstein, Supervising Counsel for Intellectual Property, Telstra Corporation, Australia

Participating in virtual worlds (‘VWs’) is big entertainment and big business. Given the enormous and diverse participation in these computer generated environments, VWs offer an exciting new channel for intellectual property (‘IP’) owners to promote and test their brands and associated products and services. However, they also present a significant challenge, in the form of widespread infringement of IP rights.

Karen Hallenstein is the Supervising Counsel for Intellectual Property at Telstra Corporation Limited. She has been with Telstra for 10 years, working on the strategic management of Telstra's IP interests and the administration of Telstra IP portfolios. Karen has a Masters of Intellectual Property Law from the University of Melbourne. In addition, she has a Bachelor of Laws with Honours, an Honours degree in Science, and a Bachelor of Arts, all from Monash University. Karen currently advises Telstra on a wide cross-section of IP law, specialising in Trade Marks, Domain Names and Copyright. She represents Telstra on a variety of external industry bodies.

Telstra is Australia's leading telecommunications and information services company, with one of the best known brands in the country. Telstra offers a full range of services and competes in all telecommunications markets throughout Australia, providing more than 9.6 million Australian fixed line and more than 9.3 million mobile services, including 3.3 million 3G services.