Ebay punishes Linux sellers as pirates

I found out that I was not alone. Many others who sells linux and other software from FSF, GNU or GPL are suspended, banned or otherwise by Ebay.

Here is one case dated back to 2003:
http://www.linux.com/archive/feature/33254
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/171/RipOff0171047.htm
https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/general-10/ebay-threatens-to-delete-my-account-for-selling-linux-296019/
http://www.lawguru.com/cgi/bbs/message.php?i=139125480&view=a

There is even a forums for ebay suspended users:
http://www.modeeworld.com/forums/ebay-suspensions/

I think the whole idea why free software does not take off is because there are organization like Ebay which still probably lives in a well or something.

Ebay still don't get it!!! LINUX IS PIRACY

I made a complain about Linux and ebay reply with this:

Thank you for writing eBay in regards to your removed listing.

We carefully reviewed the following listings:

XXXXXXXXXX - Mandriva ONE 2009 Free x64 64 bits DVD
XXXXXXXXXX - Mandriva ONE 2009 Free x86 32 bits DVD

and found that we took the correct action. Your listing was removed
because it violated the eBay Unauthorized Copies policy.

For more information on listing unauthorized copies on eBay, please
visit:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/replica-counterfeit.html

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Georgia
eBay Customer Support

and its very clear to ebay that Linux falls under:

Counterfeits, unauthorized replicas, unauthorized items (such as counterfeit watches, handbags, or other accessories) or unauthorized copies (such as copies of software programs, video games, music albums, movies, television programs, or photographs) are not permitted on eBay. Unauthorized copies include (but are not limited to) copies that are pirated, duplicated, backed-up or bootlegged. It is illegal to sell unauthorized copies of media.

So, I guess ebay stand is that as long as its Microsoft, thats original. Linux is nothing but a counterfeit of Windows. Well, tell that to the world!

Ebay Still Thinks Linux Are Works of Piracy

Well, just because you can download torrent for Linux such as Mandrake, Fedora and Ubuntu from sites like ThePirateBay.com, it does not may these Linux needs to be works of piracy. For that matters, many things you can download from torrent sites are open source, freeware or public domain.

However, Ebay certain do not think so. Although after cutting and quoting GPL license and such, Ebay has reverted my account and standing, I believe they simply did nothing to their "robotic" engine which flag all Linux as Piracy. On top of that I still suffered more than 1 week of suspension which definitely equates to opportunity lost and a dent on my reputation.

I am not very thrilled to try and list another Linux for sale because of this. I had wrote to Ebay a few times and all I ever get back is cut and paste response with no regards to whatever I wrote in the question.

I guess I will just have to accept the fact. As far as Ebay is concern, all Linux are piracy and you will get severely punished for listing them.

Linux is piracy... According to Ebay

Recently I had an incident with ebay which I felt very upset about. On one hand the linux world is trying so hard to push the concept of FREE open source software, then I got slam in my face because ebay consider linux pirated software.

My incident is pretty much similar to this:
http://www.linux.com/feature/27022
which was upssetting since it was in 2002. Basically, ebay pull the plug on my auction stating that the Linux I am selling is counterfeit and I should not list them again in the future.

Perhaps it people around south east asis is still very much stuff with the concept that software must come in a box and must be printed in factories. To be honest, even from Microsoft, I had tons of legal software which I do not even have the media for each license. All that matters was the piece of paper that state my rights to the software and the COA. In terms of moving ahead, Microsoft had done their parts not to make too much extra CD/DVD. Imagine if I needed like 101 copies of WinXP just to prove its original when I have the site license for it?

On the other hand, I guess open source software did not do its part to educate the world, well, at least not ebay. I had passed a friend of mine a DVD-R copy of Fedora and he whisper... "Err, we cannot use pirated software here... but btw, what's the CD-KEY?" I stared blankly at him. Obviously, FREE open source doesn't archive that it is suppose so.

But ebay really took it to the top. Linux IS piracy. Haha, I bet Microsoft guys must be laughing off their chairs now. Any copy, or for that matters, even my printed version of Ubuntu IS piracy. I am simply not allowed to sell Linux!!! That doesn't happens with Microsoft or other software. I listed them before and as long as I provides picture of the box, its perfectly ok.

I guess I could just walk and forget about Linux. It doesn't hurt because I wanted to do this more as a service than a profit. Some Linux are huge and I guess really painful for some users, I ust hope through me, it could reach out to them. Imagine downloading 4GB of data with a 2Mbps line.

Despite my contact to ebay, I believe I am speaking to a robot with the name of Sandra S. who simply cut and paste whatever ebay policy there is no matter what I ask or type in my request. This is probably something I did not need to do. Just tell myself, it is pointless fighting for it. Just accept the fact, Linux IS piracy. So, we all should stop selling pirated software such as Linux (including Mandriva, Fedora, Ubuntu, OpenSuse) on ebay. Yes, just switch to Windows. Its the only legal operating system regconized by ebay.