IN China, in 2005, a computer gamer from Shanghai stabbed a rival to death after he sold his "virtual sword" without his permission.

Qiu Chengwei stabbed Zhu Caoyuan in the chest when the 'dragon sabre'"' was sold for 7,000 yuan (£473).

Both men were part of the worldwide multi-player game Legend of Mr 3, which features heroes and villains, sorcerers and warriors, many of whom wield enormous swords.

Qiu won his 'supreme weapon' after killing a monster and then lent it to Zhu – who sold it. He complained to police, but was told that China has no laws to protect virtual property.

Qiu was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, which means life behind bars.

The case sparked a debate about whether virtual assets should be considered private property or merely data. Virtual weapons are regularly sold on the eBay auction site.