eBay Main Street

Today, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy passed the Discount Pricing Consumer Protection Act of 2009, H.R. 3190, by voice vote without opposition. eBay applauds the Committee for taking this important step to protect consumers and small businesses from the anti-competitive effects of retail price fixing.

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Tod Cohen, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Government Relations at eBay Inc, issued a statement in support of the “Discount Pricing Consumer Protection Act of 2009, H.R.3190,” which will protect consumers and small businesses from the anti-competitive effects of retail price fixing. Cohen stressed that during difficult economic times, consumers should not be denied the choice and value that robust small business competition, such as that created by eBay, provides.

In a recent Letter to the Editor of the Seattle Times, Tod Cohen, eBay Inc. Vice President for Government Relations argues that the "editorial advocating for new sales taxes on Internet retailers headlined "Sales-tax collections should be consistent" [Opinion, July 10] misses the mark. The "streamlined sales tax" it mentions would force small online businesses across Washington -- and the country -- to comply with complex tax laws from every tax jurisdiction in every state. These measures would impose significant new costs and accounting burdens for small Internet retailers, which could force them out of business." Read more.

The right to fair and equitable access to entertainment, whether that be music, theater, sports or the circus, is something all fans should enjoy. Too often, the resale market is used as a scapegoat for why fans are unable to get tickets during a general sale for hot events.

By Chris Dawson. eBay\'s Summer edition of the Online Business Index which was published today reveals that, despite the ongoing economic gloom, the outlook for online businesses is brightening. Over the last three months confidence is up, pressure on profit margins and prices has eased and more businesses expect stronger sales in the next quarter.

By Richard Tyler, UK Daily Telegraph, 22 Jun 2009. Rip off Britain is back, it appears. The surprise finding of an eBay poll of its online traders is that almost 50% have been prevented by the manufacturers of consumer brands from selling their goods at a discount to high street shops. It doesn\'t stop there.

In a letter to the editor of the Billings Gazette, James Cole notes that the proposed Streamlined Sales Tax Project leaves open the possibility of 15,000 different tax rates. "Imposing upon small businesses mandates that would increase their cost of operating will ultimately amount to an anti-stimulus plan..."

We know you care about laws and regulations affecting the Internet. Now there\'s an easy way to follow legislation that could limit your access to a free and open Internet. Internet Advocates\' Watchlist for Ugly Laws, iAWFUL, tracks laws across the country and allows you to quickly find out if legislators in your area are trying to stifle your usage.

eBay Inc. today announced that Paul Jones, former vice president of asset protection at the Retail Industry Leaders Association, has joined eBay as global director of retail partnerships. Jones will work with eBay’s team of more than 2000 Trust and Safety professionals to bolster eBay’s ongoing efforts to prevent the sale of stolen goods through vigilance and strategic partnerships with law enforcement and retailers.