posted on June 9, 2007 04:17:13 PM new
I have long thought to myself that eBay Express was started by ebay in case they lost the lawsuit with MercExchange regarding the BIN Patent. The case is long from being settled, and the matter was remanded to the U.S. District Court from the US Supreme Court.
I am more sure that this was the case, after reading an article in today's (6/9/07) WSJ. In the article "Business Battle Over Patent Laws" Nick Timiraos writes: "On Tuesday, a U.S. District Court in Virginia will return to that case when it decides whether eBay Inc. has to stop using its 'Buy-It-Now' feature, as demanded by MercExchange, which sued ebay in 2001 for using a patented feature, or whether MerExchange will have to make due with a royalty payment."
The District Court just might order eBay to halt the use of BIN. Then guess what?
posted on June 9, 2007 05:32:24 PM new
Shucks, just when I was getting used to it. An alternative would be Fluffy's modus operandi of higher Fixed Price with Make Offer.
posted on June 9, 2007 05:49:05 PM new
Big deal!
Overstock.com auction calls it "make it mine'.
Ebay should be able to come up with a different phrase like 'I'll take it!"
posted on June 9, 2007 06:26:35 PM new
The patent dispute isn't over the name of it, but the function of clicking one button to make the purchase. It would impact many more than just eBay.
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
posted on June 9, 2007 06:42:48 PM new
If so,then Overstock has to remove its 'make it mine' feature.
But then Overstock auction is dying.
wait,AMZN has one click payment too,it has been around longer than Ebay
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Lets all stop whining !
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[ edited by hwahwa on Jun 9, 2007 06:43 PM ]
posted on June 9, 2007 09:49:02 PM new
In this instance the only relevant concern is that regarding ebay. The lawsuit involves ebay and MercExchange. The Court does not give a hoot about Overstock.com, Amazon.com, or the checkout system of anyone else, as they were not named in the original patent infringement lawsuit.
posted on June 9, 2007 10:01:33 PM new
Why not just license it to Ebay and collect royalties?
Like you know who in Seattle.
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Lets all stop whining !
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