Here is the AuctionBytes online-auction news roundup for Monday, December 19, 2005.

"Google releases GTalk API - how will eBay/Skype respond?" Posted by Richard MacManus on the Zdnet blog, 12/17/05
http://blogs.zdnet.com/web2explorer/index.php?p=81

"When PayPal Becomes the Back Office, Too," by Julie Bick, New York Times, 12/18/05
Free registration required.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/18/business/yourmoney/18paypal.html

"Confiscated Airline Contraband Shows Up on eBay," By Stephanie Ho, VOA News, 12/14/05
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-12-14-voa72.cfm

"Ship till you drop: AN EXPECTED 25% JUMP IN ONLINE SHOPPING KEEPS FEDEX AND THE POST OFFICE HUMMING," By Michele Chandler, Mercury News, 12/15/05
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/business/technology/13413756.htm

"Shippers' busiest day approaches: UPS expects to move more than 20 million packages on Tuesday," By CHARLES REX ARBOGAST (AP), Times Union, 12/17/05
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=430878

"Irvine cops arrest locals suspected of eBay scam," Daily Pilot, 12/17/05
http://www.dailypilot.com/publicsafety/story/33024p-48534c.html

"Met joins forces with eBay," press release posted on the London (UK) Metropolitan Police site, 12/16/05
http://digbig.com/4frrf