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Encouraging infringement policy

Policy overview

For a safer buying and selling experience on eBay, sellers can't use eBay to enable, encourage, or instruct others to infringe copyrights, trademarks, or other rights.

In the guidelines below we've provided a few examples of items that can't be listed on eBay and activities that sellers should avoid.

Make sure your listing follows these guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed, and you may be subject to a range of other actions, including restrictions of your buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.

What are the guidelines?

Here are just a few examples of items and activities that aren't allowed on eBay:

Not allowed

Activities such as:

  • Offering to sell original software and encouraging the bidder or buyer to make a backup copy and resell the original

  • Offering to sell a box for an authentic product (such as a box for a Rolex watch) and suggesting to potential buyers that they can then use it to sell a counterfeit item (see also our policy on replicas, counterfeit items, and unauthorised copies)

  • eBooks describing how to remove copy protection in order to copy content onto CDs, DVDs, or other discs (see also our policy on recordable media and our policy on enabling duplication of copy-protected material)

  • DVDs, or other discs (see also our policy on recordable media and our policy on enabling duplication of copy-protected material)

  • Websites where buyers can download bootleg recordings (see also our policy on bootleg recordings), or pirated games, movies, music, photos, software, or other digital content (see also digitally delivered goods policy)

  • Any software or device (sold separately or already installed on a product) whose purpose is to circumvent copyright protections, such as: certain modchips, game enhancers, boot discs or video game converters; instructions on how to install a modification chip (modchip) or similar device in a video game console.

Additional information

There are various laws protecting copyrights, intellectual property, patents, and trademarks. Visit the following websites to learn more about the laws:

Why does eBay have this policy?

This policy helps create a safer marketplace by prohibiting sellers from using eBay to encourage others to infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties. eBay policy requires sellers and buyers to comply with all laws and regulations.

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