Thanks for the response.
What caught my interest and concern was the definitive / declarative heading:
"South Texas Meteorite - 36+ kilograms"
in combination with the disclaimer in the description. This may be a "foundational
statement" that will now show up with other specimens being offered and if so, we're
walking that "fine line".
I've watched the ongoing list discussions about different "pseudos"
being offered. There doesn't seem to be a suitable answer for all (meaning the
List-collective and the Ebay seller).
Those well-grounded in the meteoritical sciences know that it either is or is not a
meteorite. I don't think that one can have both as is presented in the above
listed Ebay offering but maybe this is the closest or best case that we'll see.
Russ K.
New England Meteoritical
www.meteorlab.com
At 08:09 PM 11/26/2002 -0500, you wrote:
Russ,
One other thing came to mind, was that Ebay will go after sellers who claim
that their auction is for a genuine name product. If for example someone
offers a "genuine"
Rolex watch, a Prada hangbag, Gucci Luggage, etc, it has to be the real
thing. If the seller puts into their description: Gucci like, simulated
Rolex, they're partially off the hook. I once read that the Prada company has
gone after sellers of "knock-off" hand bags, in Copywrite Infringement
lawsuits. Ebay has been cooperative in that respect. Unfortunately,
Meteorite is not a brand name.
Best,
Steve Sachs
