Steps to reduce counterfeit items on eBay

We're hearing from several sources that eBay are about to take steps to reduce counterfeit items on eBay. Steps will be introduced in the next week or so to prevent sales of items which attract fakes and scams which could include everything from designer clothes and accessories to the much sought after Playstation 3.

Steps are likely to include limitations on one and three day auctions, restrictions on cross border (cross continental) trade, reviews of accounts for sellers that trade in these goods and insistence on PayPal verification for those listing items of this nature.

We know that eBay have a number of legal cases in the pipeline (Louis Vuitton & Christian Dior in Europe and Tiffany in the US) and so are unlikely to comment on programs like Watchdog for fear of prejudicing their defence. However steps to reduce incidences of fakes being sold on their site can only be welcomed by legitimate sellers and buyers alike. It's worth jumping through a few hoops if buyers know they can trust you!