The Russian Legal Researches on Metaverses: a Scholar Review

Abstract

Over the past few years, the subject of metaverses has become an object of research of scientists from various fields of knowledge. Most specialists believe that in the next 7–10 years the direction of metaverses will be integrated into many spheres of society. The issue does not remain without attention of the state. Today we observe the first stages of formation of the international «metaverses race» in order to strengthen the leading positions of countries in terms of digital transformation of the economy and ensuring their own digital sovereignty. Russia will soon become a participant in the race mentioned. The development of metaverses will inevitably lead to the transformation of many legal institutions. Therefore today Russian scholars are beginning to explore questions about the symbiosis of law and metaverses. Since the interest to the regulation of the metaverses sphere will increase, it seems right to conduct a comprehensive study of the works of Russian explorers devoted to the transformation of legal relations in the conditions of emerging metaverses. The aim of the research presented: to systematize the Russian legal literature on the subject, to identify the most relevant aspects of regulation in the field, to form a general research trend in the development of law in metaverses, as well as to discover the first research conflicts. The selection of academic papers was based on two interrelated methods: substantive and personal. The use of the first method helped to identify only those studies that are devoted exclusively to the subject. On this basis, the review did not include those acadeniic works that only indirectly address the issue of metaverses. Thanks to the second method, it was possible to exclude studies by scholars from related sciences and student papers too. In this regard, attention is paid mainly to the studies of authors who have a scholar degree and/or extensive practical experience. In addition, the methodology is formed by general methods of study: analysis, synthesis, generalization and others. As a result of the work carried out, its purpose has been fully achieved and the most important key aspects are reflected using graphic illustrations.