eBay buys Goldin

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Snowman

Would this not result in a lawsuit that ebay would surely lose? As I've stated many times, I don't know s#!t about the law, but I suspect this wouldn't be a wise decision on their part?

The legality of "tying" arrangements (very broadly speaking, if you want A, you must also buy B) and similar "restraints of trade" typically depends on how one defines the relevant market and what the defendant's market share is. Here, I would think ebay has a large share however you plausibly define the relevant market -- if I'm looking to self-list a card, where else do I go? I suppose one could argue there are lots of venues to sell if you count consigning as an option, but even taking them all into account I would think ebay's share is quite substantial.