I received the following information from Rob Chesnut,
Associate General Counsel for eBay. The company
has been made aware of the legitimate concerns we
have regarding the auctioning of used grave markers -
an act which is both offensive and criminal. If you have ,
questions or comments you can contact Rob Chesnut at
(408) 558-5948 or robc(a)eBay.COM .
Karen Keehne Zimmerman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 1999
eBay has recently been contacted by citizens who have expressed concern
over the fact that several historical tombstones have appeared for sale on
the eBay site. We share your concern, and will not permit these items to
be sold on our site. This release is intended to answer several questions
that have been raised in connection with these items.
First, eBay does not sell or possess the items on its site. eBay is a
venue where users post items for sale, and sellers complete transactions
directly with buyers. eBay does not, and has never, possessed any
historical tombstone.
Second, as an Internet Service Provider, eBay cannot and does not
pre-screen items posted on its site. While eBay rules strictly prohibit
the posting of illicit items such as tombstones, it cannot guarantee that
all its users will abide by these rules in posting items for sale.
When eBay learns that an illicit item is on its site, it promptly removes
the item. However, with approximately 2 million items for sale at any
given time, and with over 250,000 new items placed on the site each day,
some illicit items may go unnoticed for several days. We depend on our
community to work with us in locating and identifying illicit items so that
we can quickly remove them.
In this case, eBay has promptly removed every tombstone brought to its
attention, informed the sellers that such markers are not allowed on the
site, and refunded all fees in connection with these auctions to ensure
that eBay has in no way received money for this activity. To discourage
future listings of tombstones on the site, eBay will also be posting rules
on its site shortly regarding the sale of artifacts which will specifically
inform users that the sale of historical tombstones is illegal in many
states and is prohibited on eBay.
eBay has received information that at least some of the items brought to
our attention are not tombstones, but historical grave markers given to
families of Civil War veterans. In many cases, these grave markers were
never actually used as grave markers, but kept by families as mementos. In
those instances, the markers are not stolen property, and if they were
never used as for tombstones their sale may be lawful. eBay is
investigating whether these items can be lawfully sold, and will post
information on the site when it makes a final decision.
eBay will be contacting law enforcement and encouraging authorities to
investigate whether historical marker posted on its site was stolen. eBay
will cooperate fully in any investigation of illegal activity, and will
provide records to law enforcement on the sellers of any illegal item. eBay
appreciates the efforts of those who have contacted us concerning these
postings. Concerned law enforcement authorities or interested citizens may
contact Associate General Counsel Rob Chesnut at (408) 558-5948 if they
have further questions on this matter.
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