Online auction behemoth eBay is about to have it’s popular ‘Buy It Now’ option challenged. I hate the audio ad that comes in the link that follows, so turn your speakers down before clicking the Forbes link.

The indicated damages cover the period through the first quarter of 2003. S&P Equity Research said that based on a recent conversation with MercExchange and its own calculations, “we think damages could rise by roughly $100 million,” for the second quarter of 2003 to the fourth quarter of 2004. The research firm said, “We also think an injunction on eBay’s Buy It Now is possible.”

S&P Equity research has issued a “hold” rating on eBay stock over this. Personally, I think all these patent infringement suits are running rampant and somebody needs to lock this down before it really gets out of hand. Then again, maybe the horse is already out of the barn.

Did this post make you go hmm?

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