US judge rules eBay isn’t liable for items users sell on its site in a big win for online marketplaces

The news: A federal judge dismissed a US government lawsuit that accused eBay of violating the Clean Air Act and other environmental laws by allowing the sale of environmentally harmful products on its platform, per The Verge.

  • District Judge Orelia Merchant ruled the online marketplace isn’t liable for items that users sell on its site.
  • The ruling states that the administrative and technical support eBay provides to sellers—including messages, email notifications, and payment processing—doesn’t materially contribute to the unlawful sale of illegal products. EBay would need to “own or possess” an item to be considered a seller.

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