eBay Australia's decision to restrict payments for transactions to its own PayPal service has resulted in a hue and cry from buyers and sellers alike (http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y08/m04/i14/s03). One day after announcing the policy, eBay filed an exclusive dealing notification with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which administers Australia's Trade Practices Act 1974 and other acts.

The ACCC is inviting comments on eBay's exclusive dealing notification. Submissions are due by May 2, 2008 and can be sent via postal mail, email (adjudication@accc.gov.au) or fax.

According to the ACCC's website, "Exclusive dealing involves one trader imposing restrictions on another trader's freedom to choose with whom, in what or where they deal. Exclusive dealing is prohibited under the Act in certain circumstances. For example, the Act prohibits a common form of exclusive dealing known as third line forcing. Third line forcing is the supply of goods or services on condition that the purchaser also acquires goods or services from a third party."

eBay's notification and the ACCC's invitation for responses are found on the ACCC website. Interestingly, eBay sellers are not included on a list of "interested parties consulted" published on the ACCC website.

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/823668/fromItemId/776499

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