Internet taxes: "Don\'t burden online retailers, help them grow."

In a recent Letter to the Editor of the Seattle Times, Tod Cohen, eBay Inc. Vice President for Government Relations argues that the "editorial advocating for new sales taxes on Internet retailers headlined "Sales-tax collections should be consistent" [Opinion, July 10] misses the mark. The "streamlined sales tax" it mentions would force small online businesses across Washington -- and the country -- to comply with complex tax laws from every tax jurisdiction in every state. These measures would impose significant new costs and accounting burdens for small Internet retailers, which could force them out of business." Read more.
Letter to the Editor: Transparency Key for Ticket Sales

The right to fair and equitable access to entertainment, whether that be music, theater, sports or the circus, is something all fans should enjoy. Too often, the resale market is used as a scapegoat for why fans are unable to get tickets during a general sale for hot events.
Message to Members of Parliament: Stability is Key to Ending Recession

By Chris Dawson. eBay\'s Summer edition of the Online Business Index which was published today reveals that, despite the ongoing economic gloom, the outlook for online businesses is brightening. Over the last three months confidence is up, pressure on profit margins and prices has eased and more businesses expect stronger sales in the next quarter.
Rip off Britain is Back as Brands Get Shirty Over Prices, Say eBay\'s Traders

By Richard Tyler, UK Daily Telegraph, 22 Jun 2009. Rip off Britain is back, it appears. The surprise finding of an eBay poll of its online traders is that almost 50% have been prevented by the manufacturers of consumer brands from selling their goods at a discount to high street shops. It doesn\'t stop there.
Letter to the Editor: Internet Sales Tax Would Throw Wrench in Economy

In a letter to the editor of the Billings Gazette, James Cole notes that the proposed Streamlined Sales Tax Project leaves open the possibility of 15,000 different tax rates. "Imposing upon small businesses mandates that would increase their cost of operating will ultimately amount to an anti-stimulus plan..."
Are Stricter Internet Laws Coming to Your Neighborhood?

We know you care about laws and regulations affecting the Internet. Now there\'s an easy way to follow legislation that could limit your access to a free and open Internet. Internet Advocates\' Watchlist for Ugly Laws, iAWFUL, tracks laws across the country and allows you to quickly find out if legislators in your area are trying to stifle your usage.
Paul Jones Joins as Global Director of Retail Partnerships

eBay Inc. today announced that Paul Jones, former vice president of asset protection at the Retail Industry Leaders Association, has joined eBay as global director of retail partnerships. Jones will work with eBay’s team of more than 2000 Trust and Safety professionals to bolster eBay’s ongoing efforts to prevent the sale of stolen goods through vigilance and strategic partnerships with law enforcement and retailers.
Gov. Schwarzenegger Applauds eBay\'s Green Efforts

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eBay GR Teams Up With Law Enforcement

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VP Cohen Testifies Before U.S. Congress

eBay Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Government Relations, Tod Cohen, has been busy making sure eBay\'s voice is heard in Congress. On May 19, Cohen addressed the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights. On April 28, Cohen presented before the United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy. Both times Cohen spoke about the impact of the Supreme Court\'s 2007 decision in Leegin Creative Leather Products, Inc. v. PSKS, Inc. The decision has begun to undermine many of the consumer benefits, such as intrabrand price competition, generated by the open nature of the Internet.