So how do they ensure the legality of this? The problem of decentralized platforms like this often is similar to that of torrent sites. If you download the software and use the blockchain, you often automatically become a part of the network - and maybe even complicit in criminal activities. How does openbazaar ensure that I won't go to prison for checking out the software?
I don't think they provide any guarantees of that. At the moment the software is not based on IPFS, that may become more of an issue for the servers where the IPFS data is stored rather than for clients browsing the network. It is an interesting project, let me know what you think.
Some replies came to this from reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/OpenBazaar/comments/6ptn7g/if_you_download_the_software_and_use_the/
I also think that it's a very interesting project. There are a few other projects with a similar value proposition like particl.io which had their genesis block creation a few days ago and who are also looking to create a decentralized marketplace with similar features. If they can somehow figure out the legalities of this (best case scenario through anonymization and encryption), this could become very big. Only time will tell which of the marketplaces will survive.
The hard part for these marketplaces will be building and establishing trust online. Complete anonymity will be counter-productive for legitimate businesses.
When we think of the internet there is both the good and the bad coexisting. At first people would have spelled doom for the internet because of all the evil it could be used for. I don't see why a similar paradigm cannot exist for these decentralised online marketplaces.
particl.io looks interesting. I will check it out some more.
I think OB has come up with some decent solutions for helping trust https://steemit.com/tutorial/@cryplectibles/tutorial-with-images-how-to-buy-with-steem-on-openbazaar especially with upcoming TOR support for those who are super anonymous will still be able to hold their accounts and have transaction activity tracked tied to a user at least.
The advantage of a democracy is the slowness at which change happens.
The advantage of technology is that change can be very quick.
The problem when new technology and democracy meet is that laws take years to establish while technological change can happen within minutes sometimes.
That's why there still are a lot of problems with the Internet more than 20 years after its mainstream use.
I guess it will take another 20 years for this technology to be somewhat regulated. Right now, it's Wild Wild West out here.
Some answers for you https://www.reddit.com/r/OpenBazaar/comments/6ptn7g/if_you_download_the_software_and_use_the/
I would agree with those comments on reddit. I would add that different jurisdictions may have different laws but I would be more concerned at this stage, not about the legal implications but about the image and reputation issues.
Let me explain, at the moment if I promote a store on ob it appears next to listings for things I don't want my brand to be associated with. I am not suggesting to restrict what is for sale but it is a concern for me. Not sure what the answer to that is. Its probably an concern that will disappear when there is more volume on ob.