Barbara Newman, known in Second Life as Barb Carson worked with Frank Corsi, who was known in Second Life as Jasper Tizzy on Central Grid and is now pursuing legal action against Mr. Corsi.

Central Grid is an OpenSim based grid, which seeks to provide a Second Life like environment, without many of the requirements that Linden Lab has placed on residents. Recently, Central Grid has announced that currency is now active.

Jasper Tizzy’s departure from Second Life last year accompanied great turmoil in the Second Life financial markets which has contributed to difficulties in the early days of Central Grid. Early on, the Anicapistan Capital Exchange (ACE) was looking into setting up operations in Central Grid. However, when it became common knowledge that Frank Corsi was one of the owners of Central Grid, ACE pulled out of Central Grid, stating

Beyond slander and libel and collusion with saboteurs, they openly, as individuals, monopolize grid locations for personal benefit. We are extremely leery of holding any virtual currency in a grid managed by the likes of Jasper Tizzy.

Now, a conflict between Ms. Newman and Mr. Corsi has further clouded the future of Central Grid. According to Ms. Newman, she has retained the counsel of Robert Brackman, Esq . Mr. Brackman works for “Brackman and Brackman, a general practice of law with special emphasis on the developing field of virtual law, as well as corporate ethics and regulatory compliance requirements, white collar criminal defense, property law and alternative dispute resolution.”

Earlier this year, Mr. Brackman represented Patrick Leavitt in a dispute over Sailor’s Cove. An agreement in the Sailor’s Cove dispute was reached without the dispute being brought to court. An out of court agreement was reached. Two SL residents, Izabella Bentham and Tasha Kostolany claimed that their voluntary efforts as estate managers for Leavitt entitled them to equal ownership rights and that Leavitt had made them full and legal partners.

Bentham and Kostolany settled for an undermined sum in recognition by Leavitt of their "sweat equity." The point at the heart of the matter, the assertion by Bentham and Kostolany of a "verbal contract" thus, was not decided since the case was settled.

Attorney Brackman confirmed that he has been retained by Ms. Newman “to evaluate the efficacy of commencing a civil action”. Neither he, nor Ms. Newman could offer any additional comments at this point “until and if such time comes that an actual summons and complaint is filed”. Ms. Newman allegations include: "multiple acts of alleged misconduct, including but not limited to his continuing libel and slander of my good name and reputation."

Frank Corsi responded saying.

From what I can understand this is just negative press, I dont see she has any legal issue with me or with central grid. I have not been contacted by any lawyer or courts...
I made her a partner in CG based on her contribution of time and skills that she could offer CG then she quit back in aprox may,

She never invested any money into CG as she claims, she purchased an estate, then rented a server to host regions in CG. As many other members of CG also have done. Her estate is a valid for her lifetime and she can use it anytime, the regions she abandoned and did not pay the tier fees.

It appears as if no legal complaint has yet been filed. When or if such a complaint is filed, it is not likely to be precedent setting. However, given the notoriety of the people involved, as well as the implications for businesses developing in Opensim based worlds, this is a complaint worth following.