Why does ebay not allow Rolex box listings?

[jnmarshall]

This year I started a "quest" trying to replace old rolex boxes or finding a box for watches I have that did not come with a box. Over the past two months in EVERY instance (a total of 8 as of today) during the very last hours of the auction I get a notice "ebay listing removed...
We're sorry to tell you that the item isn't available for purchase anymore. We removed the listing because it likely fell into one of these three categories:
-- The listing doesn't follow eBay guidelines.
-- The item isn't allowed on eBay or can only be listed under certain conditions.
-- The listing contains pictures or words that may have violated copyright or trademark rights."

The boxes are real and/or legit. Is there an ebay or rolex policy that prevents the boxes from being sold or auctioned?

[onkyo]

Can you post some pics of the ones that were removed by eBay?

[jnmarshall]

I can post some pics from other sites, mainly qualitytyme. Unfortunately when ebay removes the listing, you can't view it anymore.

The reason I find this odd is because the listing removed today was from a guy I bought the watch from last year (divorce, moved, etc...) He found the box AND papers for my watch and listed it on ebay! After the posting was removed, I attempted to contact the seller (his email changed from last year) thru ebay from another auction (that also got canned today) and we reconnected. To my good fortune since the papers have my serial numbers etc... he's just going to send me the stuff for the cost of shipping.

A few other canceled auctions were for the newer (post '05) green boxes. I lost my pillow/cuff during the holidays and figured it'd be cheaper and easier to buy a whole new box for like $65-$85.

I just find this odd and was wondering what, if any, policy there is to selling just the box?

[ParisDakarBmw]

I've seen plenty of real boxes sell just fine. I've seen plenty of bogus boxes get scrapped after only a few hours.

[onkyo]

You are allowed to sell authentic Rolex boxes on eBay.... no problem.

[Safetrends]

The Rolex bloodhounds of TRF sniff out the bogus boxes and poof they are gone!

Alot of bogas boxes on Ebay, you just got to learn what is real and what is s**t. Read some books that will help you. Find the one you are looking for that is real and compair the one you are trying to find. Do not get E-screwed.

[hanybad]

Quote:
Originally Posted by roach13
Has anybody seen Rolex the Company do anything to get the fakes removed from Ebay ....... ect. Why do you guys feel it's your job?

Rolex has very deep pockets and is a particant in eBay's VeRO Program (Verified Rights Owner Program) and employs Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty, LLP, Rolex's law firm to address issues of fraud and trademark infringement against eBay sellers.

Rolex's law firm employs personnel who are constantly searching eBay to protect against fraud and trademark enfringement. The following is a sample of a message from eBay regarding the sale of Rolex watch boxes that was received and the auction was cancelled. Additionally eBay will issed sellers infractions and if necessary suspend their selling rights

"We do not allow the sale of branded dustbags, watch boxes, tins, pouches, ring boxes, tissue paper, or other items that could be sold to someone with ill intentions allowing them to make their replica look more legitimate. Please do not list an item without an accompanying product. Trademark infringement is unlawful and violates eBay's policies. A trademark is a unique sign (such as a name, word, phrase, logo, or symbol) that a company uses to identify its products and/or services. Using another company's trademark in a way that may confuse buyers about the source of goods or services, or confuses buyers into believing that the seller is affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by the trademark owner is both illegal and against eBay's policies. Examples include counterfeits, unauthorized replica items and items that bear the brand or logo of a company without that company's permission. Guideline: If the product you are listing bears the brand or logo of a company, but it wasn't made or authorized by that company, don't sell it on eBay. Sellers are not permitted to list items that encourage or enable others to infringe another party or company's trademarks, or that provide instruction that would enable and encourage others to commit such acts."
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[SLA]

Porsche is another company that tries very hard to protect their trademark. They have even required several internet forums to cease using their name in the title. I imagine that this forum has permission to use the Rolex name.

[jnmarshall]

This makes sense and explains why the auctions get canceled. It would seem the sale of all the parts like dials, hands, bands, etc... could fall under the same guidelines.

Here's the link to ebay's policy on such.

Originally Posted by hanybad

Quote:
Originally Posted by roach13
Has anybody seen Rolex the Company do anything to get the fakes removed from Ebay ....... ect. Why do you guys feel it's your job?

Rolex has very deep pockets and is a particant in eBay's VeRO Program (Verified Rights Owner Program) and employs Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty, LLP, Rolex's law firm to address issues of fraud and trademark infringement against eBay sellers.

Rolex's law firm employs personnel who are constantly searching eBay to protect against fraud and trademark enfringement. The following is a sample of a message from eBay regarding the sale of Rolex watch boxes that was received and the auction was cancelled. Additionally eBay will issed sellers infractions and if necessary suspend their selling rights

"We do not allow the sale of branded dustbags, watch boxes, tins, pouches, ring boxes, tissue paper, or other items that could be sold to someone with ill intentions allowing them to make their replica look more legitimate. Please do not list an item without an accompanying product. Trademark infringement is unlawful and violates eBay's policies. A trademark is a unique sign (such as a name, word, phrase, logo, or symbol) that a company uses to identify its products and/or services. Using another company's trademark in a way that may confuse buyers about the source of goods or services, or confuses buyers into believing that the seller is affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by the trademark owner is both illegal and against eBay's policies. Examples include counterfeits, unauthorized replica items and items that bear the brand or logo of a company without that company's permission. Guideline: If the product you are listing bears the brand or logo of a company, but it wasn't made or authorized by that company, don't sell it on eBay. Sellers are not permitted to list items that encourage or enable others to infringe another party or company's trademarks, or that provide instruction that would enable and encourage others to commit such acts."
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[MikeyTX]

Rolex tissue paper ? What's next ? Bun wad may be ?

[BASSETHOUNDS]

Naah, they must have been fungus boxes and Dave had them removed .

[Earl Camembert]

Originally Posted by SLA

Porsche is another company that tries very hard to protect their trademark. They have even required several internet forums to cease using their name in the title. I imagine that this forum has permission to use the Rolex name.

One does not need a company's permission to use a company's name or work if it falls under fair use. Rolex claims if as much as a non Rolex spring-bar is on a Rolex watch it is counterfeit and can not be sold. Rolex has not brought this to trial because they will get their butt handed to them.

Weird Al Yankovich does not need or always get copyright holders permission to parody a song.

Section 107 contains a list of the various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered fair, such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Section 107 also sets out four factors to be considered in determining whether or not a particular use is fair:

The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes
The nature of the copyrighted work
The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole
The effect of the use upon the potential market for, or value of, the copyrighted work

[Earl Camembert]

Originally Posted by jnmarshall

This makes sense and explains why the auctions get canceled. It would seem the sale of all the parts like dials, hands, bands, etc... could fall under the same guidelines.

Here's the link to ebay's policy on such.

eBay posts that to protect themselves; in realty they will let anything be sold if they can get away with it. When a "Trusted Seller" who makes big bucks for eBay sell fake watches it takes a great effort to get it removed.