Similar to offline markets, online markets also has specific rules to keep every thing in order during buying and selling. As an online market, eBay also has certain rules that control auctions and transactions made to make sure they are legal.
eBay has the right to end every auction that contains one or more of the items banned or regulated by its policies. In case eBay discovers that there are items listed in an auction that go against its regulations, an email is sent to the sellers and bidders telling them that their auctions violated its policies and that they will be ended.
There are certain items that can not be listed for sale on eBay. These items fall under three categories: prohibited items, questionable items and potentially infringing items.
Prohibited Items:
Items listed under this category are not allowed on eBay. This includes tobacco, alcohol, drugs, animals, government holdings, lottery tickets, human parts or remains and others. eBay's policy statement includes a whole list of all banned items.
Questionable Items:
Items listed under this category can be posted only if they conform to certain conditions. Some adult materials, for instance, can be listed provided they are posted under the Mature Audiences Section on eBay. Event tickets also can be sold in auctions only if the auction ends before the actual event begins. Other items listed under this category are: batteries, food, used items, artifacts, weapons, knives, police related equipments, dangerous chemicals, international selling and buying.
Potentially Infringing Items
Items listed under this category are legal. However, they almost go against copy rights, trademarks and other commercial rights. Academic software, beta software, contracts, tickets, movie prints, counterfeit items and bootleg recordings are among other items listed under this category.
All lists of banned or regulated items on eBay are updated regularly and are integrated into the User Agreement. However, whether you are a seller or a buyer on eBay, you need to make sure that the items sold or bought are legal. eBay is only a mediator in the transaction process.
Keep in mind that even if you are offering your items on eBay for free, eBay's policy still applies.
All policy guideposts mentioned above are only reminders. You need to seek legal help if you want to post an item in your auction on eBay, but doubt its legality.
eBay has the right to end every auction that contains one or more of the items banned or regulated by its policies. In case eBay discovers that there are items listed in an auction that go against its regulations, an email is sent to the sellers and bidders telling them that their auctions violated its policies and that they will be ended.
There are certain items that can not be listed for sale on eBay. These items fall under three categories: prohibited items, questionable items and potentially infringing items.
Prohibited Items:
Items listed under this category are not allowed on eBay. This includes tobacco, alcohol, drugs, animals, government holdings, lottery tickets, human parts or remains and others. eBay's policy statement includes a whole list of all banned items.
Questionable Items:
Items listed under this category can be posted only if they conform to certain conditions. Some adult materials, for instance, can be listed provided they are posted under the Mature Audiences Section on eBay. Event tickets also can be sold in auctions only if the auction ends before the actual event begins. Other items listed under this category are: batteries, food, used items, artifacts, weapons, knives, police related equipments, dangerous chemicals, international selling and buying.
Potentially Infringing Items
Items listed under this category are legal. However, they almost go against copy rights, trademarks and other commercial rights. Academic software, beta software, contracts, tickets, movie prints, counterfeit items and bootleg recordings are among other items listed under this category.
All lists of banned or regulated items on eBay are updated regularly and are integrated into the User Agreement. However, whether you are a seller or a buyer on eBay, you need to make sure that the items sold or bought are legal. eBay is only a mediator in the transaction process.
Keep in mind that even if you are offering your items on eBay for free, eBay's policy still applies.
All policy guideposts mentioned above are only reminders. You need to seek legal help if you want to post an item in your auction on eBay, but doubt its legality.
