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Analysis Study Research Paper | Law | Volume 15 Issue 2, February 2026 | Pages: 630 - 639 | India
Sexual Exploitation of Avatars in the Metaverse: An Intellectual Property Perspective
Abstract: Metaverse is a virtual world accessible on the internet. It is used for socialising, entertainment, commerce, etc. An avatar in the metaverse could be a personalised digital representation or a fictitious character in online games or Virtual Reality (VR) platforms. The avatar often mimics real-world characters in appearance. Virtual Reality (VR) platforms provide valuable space for community building, exploring identities, particularly for introverts but they also come with a grim reality. The problem arises when proprietors try to express their creativity in the form of digital avatars and digital identities, often protected as creative works or proprietary assets. These are misused in non-consensual virtual acts, raising new questions of ownership, consent, and accountability?. The advent of virtual technology has brought with it the dark side of Virtual Sexual Assault. This paper explores the key gaps in law that restrict the definition of rape to the physical world, without defining how sexual violence should be addressed in virtual spaces like the metaverse. Traditional Laws define rape based on consent, accountability and the measure of such crimes mentally and physically on a victim. However, these laws become ill-equipped to address avatar-based, virtual or non-consensual sexual acts that occur without physical touch. The topic raises many questions like, such as whether it is the creator of the Avatar or the perpetrator who should be held responsible. Metaverse rape has spread its venomous tentacles to such an extent that it has become a challenge that the law cannot ignore anymore.
Keywords: Avatars and Digital Identity, Consent, Intellectual Property Law, Metaverse, Platform Liability and Virtual Sexual Assault
How to Cite?: Divya Gopalakrishnan, "Sexual Exploitation of Avatars in the Metaverse: An Intellectual Property Perspective", Volume 15 Issue 2, February 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 630-639, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26210215008, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26210215008