posted on May 7, 2001 02:26:36 PM new
It was just an old Promotional record. I have sold records before, along with zillions of other ebay sellers.
Big deal. A record. Put out by a real record company, not a bootleg. Music, not foul or anything of the sort.
Illegal to sell an old Promotional record? These were not available to the general public and are therefore collectible. But the darn thing was near 20 years old and probably very obscure.
posted on May 7, 2001 03:04:09 PM new
Yes, unfortunately, Promotionals (usually) specifically state that they are the property of the record company and are not for general release or to be sold.
Someone probably complained about your auction and turned you in. (Probably another seller selling the same thing)
posted on May 7, 2001 03:58:24 PM new
Just to speak out in favor of VERO for a moment. I happen to be a VERO member, and I have had auctions stopped. I could stop all auctions offering this particular product, but I don't think that that is in any way the right thing. I do think that Ebay needs to rethink the broad power that it gives VERO members, as it can be abused and lead to a loss of free trade. I stop only auctions that are CLEARLY offering counterfeits or replicas of the real product that I am the U.S. distributor for. These sellers offering replicas are a competition of sorts for my authentic product. Also, I'm protecting the trademark and most importantly protecting the unsuspecting buyer. VERO works fine for me.
posted on May 7, 2001 06:12:41 PM new
pointy ... I have no problem with you supporting your Trademarks and Copyrights.
I do have a problem with eBay's VeRO program though. What's to stop me from claiming the rights to everything that starts with "H" through the VeRO program and then simply ending all such auctions with no questions asked?
When an auction is canceled in error by a VeRO member (it does happen ... a lot), eBay makes the victim jump through so many hoops that it's not worth the effort. The lister is made to feel guilty ... probably the way loosecannon feels right now.
I suggest that what needs to be set up is some kind of process where a listing MUST BE VERIFIED as offending BEFORE it is arbritraily ended. If a VeRO member, such as yourself, comes across a listing for an item that s/he suspects as infringing, the onus should be on the VeRO member to prove fault - not on the lister who gets blind sided with an eBay warning and gets no say in the matter except after the trial and conviction (i.e: the ending of the auction).
Believe me, I support you 100% - I just think the process needs a little work.
posted on May 8, 2001 05:47:16 AM new
First off, Hello to all!
We are new here so please excuse our 'growing pains'.
We also recently got zapped by ebays VERO gods, for a 'possible' copyright infringement.
Possible..........that's what it said.
Although we have been on ebay for a few years, I had never encountered VERO before.
I was at first shocked by the notice, but now it looks like many others have also been blessed with the 'possible' encoachment of everbroadening latitudes.
posted on May 8, 2001 06:56:29 AM new
I have NO problem with legitimate use of VERO. (like MSFT cancelling OEM or Academic or pirated software auctions, or you as an individual protecting your rights)
But what I have a problem with is that the overboard tactics some VERO owners use.
Yes, we all know that promotional records state they are the propety of the record company and not for resale. (the question comes in however, if it's 20 years old, how is it hurting the record company to sell it. I can see if it's a new item, it could have more damage. The record industry has more problems with MP3 than anything being sold on eBay, that's for sure (barring direct theft on burned CDs being sold of course)
The issue about not being able to sell look-alikes... Well, I guess if it was illegal to sell in the first place, it should still be illegal. (the sunglass issue)
The issue about not being able to resell AUTHENTIC originals (the handbag issue) is perhaps over the line.
The problem is unless you have 100% documentation that you can sell it you leave yourself open for problems.
I'm just WAITING for the day that Atari and Nintendo write to me saying that I can no longer sell 10 and 20 year old video game cartridges or systems because I can't prove they're originals. If that happens, I'm forever done with eBay. But it wouldn't surprise me in the least if that happens given the current direction of overzealous Vero-ing.
