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eBay May Lose 'Buy it Now' Button in Patent Case
Spamicles writes "A judge has delayed his ruling on the eBay patent infringement case. eBay has been involved in a legal dispute over the use of its popular "Buy it Now" button, which allows consumers to skip the bidding and purchase items on eBay directly. The patent suit was filed six years ago by MercExchange L.L.C. In May of 2003, a jury ruled in MercExchange's favor finding that eBay did in fact infringe on the patent, but in 2005 the US Supreme Court ruled that MercExchange was not automatically entitled to a court order blocking the offending service, essentially handing a victory down to patent reform advocates. However, the ruling by the Supreme Court does not affect the final judgment of the court."
Clearly now Ebay is shamelessly ripping off MercExchange's Valuable Intellectual Property! That button to signify "buy at requested maximum price" is the clearly fruit of serious innovation obtained through hard-won research, and recognised as "original" by the widely acclaimed US Patent Office.
Ebay should pay up ... and quickly! Best that Ebay simply gives MercExchange it's main bank account and password so that MercExchange can help itself to whatever they feel are reasonable license fees. To avoid unnecessary delays you understand?