Hiro Protagonist discovers the name of a new pseudo-narcotic, Snow Crash, offered at a posh Metaverse nightclub. Together with his friends and fellow hackers, he falls victim to Snow Crash's effects, which are apparently unique in that they are experienced in the Metaverse and also in the physical world.
So begins Snow Crash: a science fiction bestseller written by Neal Stephenson in 1992, which appeared on Time magazine's list of 100 all-time best English-language novels.
"Do yourself a favour and read Snow Crash," said Sun Microsystems' director of products and technology law David Marr at last week's AIPPI Congress workshop on trade mark and copyright issues in virtual worlds and online gaming.
"The virtual world offers not just a one-on-one experience, but an opportunity to grasp that surrounding Metaverse. It's collective, social and you can have...