eBay Inc. was awarded the 2007 National Medal of Technology and Innovation, becoming the first Internet company to receive the award. At a White House ceremony where he conferred the medals, President George W. Bush cited eBay's pioneering technology that encouraged and supported online trade, and that enabled global entrepreneurship and the growth of the Internet worldwide.

eBay Inc. President and CEO John Donahoe, who accepted the medal on behalf of eBay, said, "Our technology is at the core of our success. eBay and PayPal together have harnessed technology in the service of people; the result is that millions have transformed their lives for the better - building businesses, taking care of their families and becoming global entrepreneurs at the same time. That's what true innovation is all about."

At the ceremony, Donahoe was accompanied by three eBay sellers: Stacie Sefton (ID: bhexpress), Jennifer Canty (ID: dyscern) and Jack Sheng (ID: eforcity).

With nearly 70 domestic and international patents for eBay and PayPal innovations, eBay Inc. was one of two companies and six individuals this year to receive the medal, which has been awarded annually since 1985 by the President of the United States. The award is administered on behalf of the Department of Commerce by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for outstanding contributions to the nation's economic, environmental and social well-being through the development and commercialization of technology products, processes and concepts; technological innovation; and development of the Nation's technological manpower.

http://www.uspto.gov/nmti