Tampa, Fla. - An online entrepreneur who devised code that allows avatars in the virtual world "Second Life" to have sex has filed suit against another anonymous Second Life user for allegedly copying and selling the code, the Associated Press reported.

Kevin Alderman operates Eros LLC out of "Second Life," where he sells the $45 SexGen code and other virtual products.

Alderman sued "Second Life" user "Volkov Catteneo" for copyright and trademark violations in U.S. District Court in Tampa, Fla.

"We confronted him about it and his basic response was, 'What are you going to do? Sue me?'" Alderman told AP.

"I guess the mentality is that because you're an avatar ... that you are untouchable. The purpose of this suit is not only to protect our income and our product, but also to show, yes, you can be prosecuted and brought to justice."

Alderman's attorney has subpoenaed records from PayPal and Linden Lab, the operator of "Second Life," in an attempt to discover Catteneo's identity; the lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

Related Links:
http://www.salon.com/wire/ap/archive.html?wire=D8QU8GN01.html (AP)

http://secondlife.com