If you sell memorabilia cards on eBay, don't be surprised if the auctions get pulled!

fsjeter

It was reported in SCD that Media Technologies, which was granted a patent for the design of memorabilia cards in 1998, is asking eBay to pull auctions involving the sale of memorabilia cards of Upper Deck and Donruss. Apparently the lawsuit has been dragging on for more than five years. They want card manufacturers to pay a licensing fee or cease making the cards. Of the 10 manufactures involved in the original lawsuit, only Donruss and Upper Deck are still fighting (Topps must have paid the piper). The catch is, they have to ask that auctions be pulled on an individual basis so they would have to hire a full time person to sit there and search auctions. If the auction does get pulled and you relist the item, eBay could suspend your account. Sucks to be the little guy doesn't it.

Scott

ndleo

This could be good for Topps if Media Tech wins over Upper Deck and Donruss.

Gotta love our hobby. It has so many people concerned for its future! ha ha ha ha

baseballfanatic

Ebay lifted the ban until litigation is resolved

wick70

I don't know why that would happen. Media Tech. wouldn't receive any fees from the secondary market sales regardless if they did or did not own the licensing fees.


Wick

larryallen73

Sounds like BS to me.

NickM

That patent was absurd. Basically, they got a patent over any method for including a piece of equipment or other non-cardstock item in a trading card - which is an idea, not an invention. The Patent and Trademark Office has let far too much slide in recent years - they even granted a patent for a method of swinging on a playground swing! I expect Donruss and Upper Deck will win the court battle.

Nick

schr1st

The interesting thin is that Media Tech is owned by a former Upper Deck Exec that was forced out back in the old days. Payback is something, eh?

Glynparson

In the SCD article it clearly states ebay has lifted the ban until the case is resolved.

Knuckles

Found this a few weeks ago..

Check this out.

ndleo

Topps paid $2 million to this clown to settle suit. I have a feeling that Upper Deck and Donruss will have to pay up too. If Upper Deck and Donruss lose, they may have to pull the GU cards until they negotiate a license from Media Tech.

I know some people here will love that, but GU cards are now a part of the hobby for most collectors, especially the younger ones.

rbdjr1

<< <i>Topps paid $2 million to this clown to settle suit. I have a feeling that Upper Deck and Donruss will have to pay up too. If Upper Deck and Donruss lose, they may have to pull the GU cards until they negotiate a license from Media Tech.

I know some people here will love that, but GU cards are now a part of the hobby for most collectors, especially the younger ones. >>



...Well, we can only guess as to the "merits of the law suit against TCG", ...us being on the outside.

But for a company like Topps to fork over "two million clams", as settlement, must send a pretty strong signal to the others (i.e., UDA and Donruss),


.........SETTLE! THIS GUY'S LAWSUIT HAS MERIT!!!

rbd