TMCnet
Web auctioneer eBay (News - Alert) has reportedly blocked embedded voice links from JAJAH on its auction site. Jajah says this move by eBay raises concerns about anti-competitive behavior. According to Jajah, eBay removed listings of sellers who used Jajah’s technology. Some times ago, Jajah had introduced a technology called ‘Buttons,’ which let potential buyers connect with sellers through a click-to-call button embedded in their advertisement. Jajah’s Buttons allowed sellers to place widgets in blogs or emails and the potential buyers make inexpensive calls to sellers without the seller giving out his or her phone number.
Although eBay has blocked the JAJAH VoIP
links from its site on the grounds of protecting its site from unauthorized or insecure links that could harm its business, Jajah alleges that the underlying reason for blocking its links is clear: eBay wants to discourage users from using VoIP services other than its own Skype (News - Alert). eBay had sent emails to its sellers in the U.S. and Italy telling them that the usage of Jajah’s technology violated eBay’s link policy.
Chris on October 9th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
eBay’s links policy has barred live chat messaging systems for years! Why should Jajah think different? And especially as they state they have been in talks with eBay why are they acting so surprised? It’s a publicity stunt to increase awareness of their service - nothing more, nothing less than dirty tactics.
As for Skype - well that’s banned on most eBay listings too! eBay have allowed it in a few categories only and then not as a button, but interegrated into the Meet the Seller box.
Think about it… if they’ve banned skype for most categories why are Jajah claiming anti-competitive behaviour? eBay haven’t said you can’t use Jajah, just that you can’t enbed Jajah links into listings. Jajah are acting like a spoilt child that can’t get their own way!