The legal status of machines is explored. A new concept, status virtualis, is a dialectical innovation. The reasoning begins with the thesis being status naturalis, proceeds through the antithesis being status civilis, and culminates in the synthesis being status virtualis. The notion of status virtualis is characterized primarily by different rules of governing in the so-called computer state. The status virtualis situations discussed can be observed in virtual reality, three-dimensional virtual worlds, massive multiplayer online games (MMOGs), mass media, films, and narratives.