News: eBay Urges High Court to 'Buy It Now'

[Jimmy Cooper]

Hello Everyone,

Ok, so I'm going to post the first industry news link so we can get this forum on to its intended purpose...to discuss e-commerce industry news and trends.

Article: eBay Urges High Court to 'Buy It Now' (http://www.ecommerce-guide.com/news/news/article.php/3595261)
Source: ecommerce-guide.com

The patent infringement case between eBay and MercExchange went to the US Supreme Court today. Outcome isn't expected until late Spring/early Summer, but could have wide-reaching implications on the whole e-commerce industry.

Thoughts?

[DesignExtend-MSI]

While the Buy It Now function in eBay is used often to pickup items without going through the bidding process, it's not that great of a tool to use in your standard ecommerce stores.

First, the feature does little to speed up the process (saves one click, actually, and takes you right to checkout). And for those who use it, keep in mind that it promotes purchasing a single item, when the shopper might have considered something else as well, especially since offers can be made on the basket screen.

The majority of small business sites should never use this feature.

[Tongo]

The USPTO struck down the patent

more here (http://www.betanews.com/article/USPTO_Rejects_Buy_it_Now_Patent/1143737657)