SECOND LIFE, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Linden Lab changed Second Life¡¯s terms of service on Tuesday, allowing residents to settle minor disputes with the company via binding arbitration by a variety of means, including legal proceedings inside Second Life itself.

In a post on the official Linden Blog, Robin Linden introduced ¡°binding, non-appearance-based arbitration¡± as a new way for the company¡¯s customers to settle claims totaling less than US$10,000. Under the policy, arbitrators can accept petitions ¡°by telephone, online, or based on written submissions, and the Resident and Linden Lab will not make any in-person appearance at the arbitration hearing.¡±

Under the previous terms of service, residents were obligated to travel to San Francisco to submit to arbitration.