CopyBot is a controversial debugging tool used to access the virtual world Second Life. It duplicates items in the Second Life world and later revisions with disregard of the permissions granted by the creator or owner.

Intended applications

CopyBot was originally created as a debugging tool by the libsecondlife development team, and was created with such uses in mind as an import/export or "backup" tool, or to assist in the development of AIs and NPCs.Possible uses of the import/export function:

No reliance on Linden Lab for data backup services.

Importing content created on other grids such as the preview grid (currently Aditi, previously Siva).

Importing content created on a locally installed simulator (andthereforenot having to rely upon the availability of official simulators).

Exporting one's own intellectual property to other environments.

These intended official applications require creator and owner permission, and a response to a disclaimer before content can be copied.

Unofficial application

The source-code for the official CopyBot was made available via the libsecondlife website. It was downloaded, edited and recompiled into the controversial application which was used to replicate objects and avatar appearances without permission. This activity stimulated an emotional discussion in the Second Life community and numerous articles in the popular media. Residents also began selling links to the software in exchange for Linden Dollars (L$), Second Life's virtual currency.

CopyBot does not operate within the Second Life virtual world. It is written in C#, not LSL. Distribution of the software is via third-party sites and services such as SL Exchange.

Public reaction to CopyBot

Resident outcry and virtual protests quickly followed a meeting on November 13, 2006 after Linden Lab met with residents to discuss the use of Copybot.

Several Second Life merchants are threatening to close up shop unless CopyBot is blocked by Linden Lab. The possibility of CopyBot's technical removal is still being disputed.

Moopf Murray claims to have been the subject of abuse and harassment from other Second Life Residents due to a product he created being used by the Residents selling links to the unofficial copybot program (the other Residents used a vendor created by Moopf).

Moopf later claims to have had an official Abuse Report sanction filed against him by Linden Lab

Official Linden Lab statements

Cory Linden announced that using CopyBot or similar tools was in violation of Second Life's Terms of Service.

You agree to use Second Life as provided, without unauthorized software or other means of access or use. You will not make unauthorized works from or conduct unauthorized distribution of the Linden Software.

Despite the large volume of complaints left in the two CopyBot related blog entries, as of November 16, 2006, Linden Lab reported that that had received only slightly more than 50 official complaints relating to the malicious use of CopyBot.