eBay being sued over patent infringement

From: Doc Shipley <doc_at_mdrconsult.com>
Date: Thu Apr 24 12:32:01 2003

On Thursday, April 24, 2003, at 02:28 AM, Innfogra_at_aol.com wrote:

> Actually, as a seller, I think the eBay process sucks. It is the
> second best
> bidder that really sets the price. The advantage really is to the
> bidder.

   I'll grant that eBay is heavily slanted to the buyer, and that it's
far from perfect. My point was that eBay isn't breaking any anti-trust
laws by being the "Goliath" of online auctions. I also still maintain
that if the exposure didn't offset the difficulty, sellers would be
flocking elsewhere in droves.

> Another very successful Internet auction run by LabX is a much
> preferred
> model for me. It is where the sale is extended by a minute or two when
> each
> bid comes in at the end of the auction. WWW.labx.com

   I think we've discussed that feature - the "last-bid extension" - on
CCmp before. I firmly believe that eBay, not only the auction house
and sellers, but eBay buyers as well, would benefit from that feature.

   In truth, I don't do much selling on eBay. I do have several
acquaintances who make their living at it, but I don't handle enough
volume to require it often. I just let the folks I know know it's
there, and somebody almost always wants it.

   Wow. I just got off the phone with my boss, and a guy we used to
race karts against/with is a plaintiff in the infringement suit. A
little closer to home....

        Doc
Received on Thu Apr 24 2003 - 12:32:01 BST