eBay and MercExchange settle long-term feud

Posted Feb 29th 2008 2:09PM by Gary Sattler
Filed under: Management, Law, Internet, Competitive Strategy, eBay (EBAY), Technology

In what may end up being a net positive for eBay, albeit possibly an expensive one, a settlement has been reached in the litigation over patent infringement between eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) and MercExchange. Financial figures of the settlement have not been disclosed, but a report from Computerworld indicates that eBay shall purchase the three patents which were the subject of the litigation, as well as a number of other related technologies and developments.

Mike Jacobson, eBay senior vice president and general counsel, was quoted by Computerworld as stating: "In addition to resolving the litigation, this settlement gives us access to additional intellectual property that will help improve and further secure our marketplaces." MercExchange founder and CEO Thomas Woolston, is quoted in the same report as stating: "It seemed like the right time to put it behind us."

In May of 2003, a jury in the case found eBay guilty of patent infringement and an injunction was sought and granted. However, in reviewing the US Court of Appeals decision, the Supreme Court unanimously derailed the long standing practice of issuing immediate injunctions in cases of intellectual property infringement, insisting that in the future, such injunctions must meet the requirements of a four-factor test.

Tags: Buy It Now, BuyItNow, Computerworld, eBay, infringement, inthenews, litigation, MercExchange, patent, search, security, settlement, Supreme Court, SupremeCourt

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-03-2008 @ 8:34AM

dave said...

ANYONE HOLDING EBAY STOCK
(OR BUYING AND SELLING ON eBAY)
MAY BE GUILTY OF SUPPORTING AN
ON-GOING CRIMINAL ENTERPRIZE!!!!

Everyone suspects that
eBay may be the World's Largest Fence
Of Stolen, Forged & Knock Off Merchandise!!.

I Think It's time for the FBI, Treasury Dept and
The US Attorney General to Begin An Investigation
Into This Company's Employees (And It's Major Stockholders!! )

Operating as a
Purveyor of Stolen Goods
Normally results in Quick & Fast Arrests!!

I think the recent decision to make
the Feedback System "One-Sided"
may be the Final Nail in the eBay Coffin!!

In order for eBay employees to mediate
the up-coming new Feedback Complaints...
They may have to act as a "Law Enforcement Agency",
"Court Of Law", "Judge" and "Jury"....Are These Acts Illegal??..

Why do eBay The eBay and Paypal Employees
That render the daily complaint decisions between
Buyers and Sellers operate under incomplete False Names??

Do They know that the decisions
They are making may be against the Law??...

eBay may be in deep trouble
as the legitimate brick and mortar
Major Retailers like Sears, Target,
and Walmart demand that eBay be held
accountable for selling merchandise that
may have been stolen from Their Stores!!

One Side Feedback May Test The
Laws Of Equity and Equal Protection!!!

The proposed Paypal 21 Day Funds Holding Period
Will Not Work...It May Be Against Banking Regulations..
And What Seller in Their Right Mind is going to ship a product
Before They Receive Payment (and may never ever get paid)???

Dishonest Buyers Worldwide
will have a Field Day...While Legimate
Sellers may continue to Boycott and Go Elsewhere!!

Unless the new proposed one-sided
feedback decision is reversed Immediately
(or the feedback system is totally removed)...The
decline and fall of eBay may only take a Short Time!!

In My mind...
eBay Stockholders, Employees
Buyers & Sellers may be un-knowingly
(or knowingly) Conspiring to support an
ongoing International Criminal Enterprise!

Conspiracy Is
A "Serious" Crime!!

This comment
has been made by...
A Retired Private Detective...
& eBay User of almost 10 Years!!!!

http://www.ioffer.com/info/parody_feepay