Well, for the third time in approximately six months, Ebay has removed one of my listings.

This happened today, January 25, 2014.

First, below is the message I received from Ebay.

After reviewing your eBay account, it appears that you have violated eBay's Trademark Violation - Unauthorized Item policy. As a result, we've taken the following actions on your account:
- Selling privileges have been temporarily restricted. You won't be able to list new items for 30 days.
- Violating listings have been removed. A list of items that were removed can be viewed at the bottom of this message.
- We have credited all associated fees except for the final value fee for your listing(s).

The listing that was removed appeared to violate eBay policy or a rights owner's trademark. Please remember that you are responsible for the quality and authenticity of the products that you offer on eBay. It is against eBay policy to list any counterfeit items.

For more information please see our Replica, counterfeit items, and unauthorized copies policy:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/replica-counterfeit.html 

While we understand that it was never your intention not to be in compliance and that you may not have been aware of this, please take note of the following factors which were considered when your listing was removed:

For autographed items like this, please be sure to provide a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) coming from the approved authentication companies of eBay (specifically - Global Authentics LLC, James Spence Authentication & PSA/DNA), and in the listing include a picture of the COA and the name of the issuing authentication company to give buyers confidence/trust in purchasing your items. To check on the approved authentication companies of eBay for your reference: http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/authentication.html

Consider those factors to further improve your future listings, become a more successful eBayer & improve your future sales.

We'd like to warn you and give you a chance to improve your listing, but because we have to act quickly, that's just not possible. Moving forward, please consider this as an educational experience that you may use for more successful transactions on eBay as you are now aware of these guidelines.

Please understand that although there may be other listings currently on the site that are in violation of our guidelines, please be informed that this policy applies to all the members, so if you come across listings similar to this which you feel are in violation, kindly report them using the report item link on the listing page. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

During this restriction you can still:
- Send email
- Obtain shipping addresses
- Leave Feedback
- Perform other administrative tasks

After 30 days, your account will no longer be restricted. However, please be sure your current and future listings follow these guidelines, keeping in mind that additional violations of this policy could result in the suspension of your account.

If you have additional questions, contact our policy experts.
http://ocsnext.ebay.com/ocs/cusr?query=1337&domain=email1419

We understand that you may have been unaware of this eBay policy, and we encourage you to learn how to keep your experiences on eBay successful.

Here are the listings that were removed:
331113459822 - DEREK JETER AUTOGRAPHED 1995 ACTION PACKED DIAMOND.


We appreciate your cooperation.

Thanks,

eBay

Please don't reply to this message. It was sent from an address that doesn't accept incoming email.

Here is the item in question.  It is a Derek Jeter "1995 Action Packed Diamond" autograph card.  These were issued by "Action Pack" back in 1995.  500 were autographed on card number "1A" by Derek Jeter and 500 were autographed on card number "1D (Diamond Version)" by Derek Jeter.

Here is the photograph of the aforementioned card.

Now, of course, there is absolutely no doubt that this is Derek Jeter's circa 1995 autograph.  There are at least four or five of these on Ebay every day.  Over the years, I have owned approximately 20 of these Derek Jeter autographs (the 1A and 1D versions combined).

This time my "Listing Ban" is 30 days.  

You see, Ebay is targeting me because, and in my opinion, they don't like me exposing the forgeries because it cuts into their profits and bonuses (John Donahue, CEO, Ebay).

This is Ebay's way of "Sending me a message." 

The irony of the above Ebay message is the part that reads "so if you come across listings similar to this which you feel are in violation, kindly report them using the report item link on the listing page."

So, after Ebay removed my legitimate auction, they want me to go out of my way to report Ebay violators."   What a bunch of morons!!!

And while Ebay continues to harass honest Ebay members like myself, they continue to profit from forgeries like the one below "authenticated (cough, cough)" by Steve Sipe (Global Authentics) that recently sold on Ebay.

As a matter of fact, Ebay has profited from the sales of hundreds upon hundreds of Derek Jeter forgeries certed by Steve Sipe of Global Authentics one of Ebay's Trusted Third-Party Authenticators.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Derek-Jeter-Signed-Jersey-Letter-GAI-COA-Autographed-2-Authentic-/390748776843?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=1GQCJFMjVxOHzfp2EC4a0bgthZM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

I know Ebay thinks that maybe now I will go away.

No chance, Ebay and John Donahoe, CEO.

I consider their targeting me as a "Badge Of Honor" and flattering.