How the Metaverse Reinvents the “Democratization of Information” — and IP Capitalism: Open Doors, Locked Vaults. What Is the Real Rule of the Metaverse?

The digital landscape is changing — completely.
Not long ago, conversations like this were limited to tech enthusiasts or niche communities. But that’s no longer the case.

On Roblox, students are building their own games — and actually making money from them.
On ZEPETO, college students design avatar outfits that sell out by the thousands in a single day.

So naturally, this question arises:

“Is this really a playground for everyone? Or is it someone’s massive property?”

　

The Internet Has Always Expanded What People Can Do.

The evolution of the internet isn’t just about faster speeds or better graphics.
It’s the history of how the kinds of things people can do kept expanding.

Era	What You Could Do	How the World Changed
Web 1.0 (Read)	Read information, browse news	Encyclopedias → Search engines. Information monopolies broke down.
Web 2.0 (Write)	Post to blogs, share on social media	Everyone became a writer, a journalist. Likes and comments turned into currency.
Web3 / Metaverse (Build + Own)	Build spaces, create and own digital items	Digital land, houses, clothes — even a “house” in-game gets sold.

Yes — now people can “build and own.”
But that’s exactly where it stops.

→ Access is for everyone. Ownership and profit? Not so much.

　

Three Real-World Scenes Happening in the Metaverse Right Now

① Roblox: Students Become Game Developers

A student uses free tools to create a mini-game.
→ And actually makes real money.

According to Roblox’s official report, over 5,500 top creators earn more than $100,000 a year.
Some are teenagers. Middle school game developers are no longer rare.

In real life?
It’s like a kid building a theme park — and charging admission.

　

② ZEPETO: A Global Fashion Store in One Day

A college student designs an avatar outfit.
→ Thousands of copies sell within a single day.

ZEPETO’s official data shows that popular creators routinely sell thousands of items on the day of release.

In real life?
→ It’s like opening a global fashion pop-up store — and selling out in hours.

Access is absolutely equal.
Anyone can become a digital landlord or shop owner with just a few clicks.

But then comes the real question:

“So… where does the money actually go?”

　

Where Did the Money Go?

The playground is open.
But who holds the keys to the vault?

The answer plays out like this:
Profits concentrate at the top.
→ On Roblox, more than half of total revenue goes to the top 1% of creators.

An NFT costs more than an actual luxury bag.
→ The MetaBirkin NFT — a parody of Hermès — sold for more than a real Birkin. (And was sued for trademark infringement.)

→ And here’s another case:
→ In 2022, Yuga Labs, the company behind Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), sued artist Ryder Ripps for creating a copycat NFT collection (RR/BAYC).
→ The court ruled in favor of Yuga Labs, recognizing that trademark rights fully apply to NFTs, just like in the physical world.

✔️ Even when you sell something, the platform takes its cut first.
→ Sell one avatar skin, and the platform takes 30% upfront — for copyrights, trademarks, publicity rights, and platform fees.

　

Why Does This Happen? — Follow the Money

Mechanism	Why the Money Flows Up
Algorithmic Visibility	Top spots in the “Recommended” tab = digital prime real estate. Visibility is money.
Platform Fees	Gateway and store fees are higher than physical department stores.
Brand Power	Just like real life, a luxury logo raises prices — even in the virtual world.

→ Behind the “open door” is a locked vault — held by the platforms and the brands.

　

Why IP Is the Real Key to the Metaverse

This is where the game completely changes.

Digital items aren’t just pretty images.

Every digital asset is legally bundled with multiple rights:

Right	Meaning
Design Right	Shape, structure, silhouette of the item
Trademark	Brand logos, symbols on the item
Copyright	The texture file, graphics
Publicity Right	The avatar’s face if it resembles someone real

→ Every avatar skin, item, and space in the metaverse is a “bundle of digital rights.”

　　

The Money Doesn’t Flow Through Contracts — It Flows Through Code

Digital transactions don’t rely on signing contracts.
→ There’s no PDF to exchange.

✔️ How does it work?

• NFTs and digital assets have smart contracts embedded.
• Terms like royalty percentages, revenue shares, and resale conditions are coded directly into them.
• Whenever a transaction happens, the code executes automatically.

✔️ For example:

• If someone resells your avatar outfit,
  → 5% royalty automatically goes to you — without anyone manually intervening.

✔️ Need to change the terms?
→ You don’t call a lawyer.
→ You edit the code — like pushing a commit on GitHub.

→ This is why the metaverse is a world governed by both law and code.

　

Terms of Service Are Basically Private Constitutions

That little “I Agree” button?
→ Inside it, you’ve agreed to things like:

• How much commission the platform takes
• Where and how to file copyright claims
• Which country’s court handles your disputes

→ The text is small, but the impact is the size of a constitution.

　

Bottom Line:

→ The one who understands rights holds the key. The one who writes the code holds the vault.

The metaverse isn’t just a game or a space.
→ It’s a massive economic system built out of law, rights, and code.
→ And the game’s rules are written by whoever designs the system — not the users.

　

Three Things Creators Should Do Right Now

What to Do	Why	Immediate Action	Key Principle
① Protect Your Files	Copying & reselling happens in seconds	Backup originals + timestamps, embed watermarks	Save → Show → State Conditions
② Read Three Lines of the TOS	The terms are a private legal system	Screenshot fees, check claim procedures, know court jurisdiction	Profit · Claims · Jurisdiction
③ Band Together	Alone, you can’t fight fees or lawsuits	Build a Discord collective, launch a DAO	Strength multiplies when shared

　　

The Two Roads Ahead:

Scenario A	Scenario B
Balanced System	Multi-layered license standards, transparent DAO royalties → Fair sharing for all
Broken System	Platform monopoly worsens, NFT speculation runs wild → Wealth inequality deepens

→ Which path we take depends on what you click — before you hit “I Agree.”

　

Epilogue — What’s Your Next Click?

That kid sold their second digital house — for an even higher price.
The platform quietly raised its fees.
Top skin creators changed their royalty rules.

→ “Wait… what exactly did I just agree to?”

The metaverse is open to everyone.
→ But the vault key is still in the hands of those who designed the system.

→ Check your key — before you click next.

　

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• How much royalty will I get when my avatar item is resold?
• If a dispute happens, which country’s court will I go to?
• How are other creators like me organizing to build collective power?

　

One-Sentence Summary:

“Access is for everyone. Ownership depends on how the system is designed.”

　

Sources:

• Roblox Creator Economy Report (2024)
• Epic Games Official Blog
• Hermès International v. Rothschild Court Ruling (2023)
• Yuga Labs v. Ryder Ripps (2023) — U.S. District Court ruling on NFTs and trademark infringement
• European Parliament DSA/DMA (2024)

　

#Metaverse #NFT #Web3 #DigitalEconomy #DigitalAssets #CreatorEconomy #IPLaw #Copyright #Trademark #DigitalOwnership #VirtualWorld #PlatformEconomy #MetaverseEconomy #SmartContracts #IPRights #Blockchain #NFT