As we've recently reported, eBay has launched a crackdown on virtual goods that have been put up for auction on their site. Since then, eBay has been removing listings which try to sell avatars in popular MMORPGs such as WoW, as well as amounts of in-game currency and items which are to be sold for real money. This move is part of an effort to curb the number of scamming instances, as well as to help in trying to minimize RMT-related activities which violate EULAs set by game publishers.

However, there seems to be an exception to the rule, as eBay has apparently skipped over all listings which involve virtual items from Second Life. According to eBay spokesman Hani Durzy, the reason for this is that they "think there is an open question about whether Second Life should be regarded as a game".

True enough, that even though Second Life has long been classified as an MMORPG, one cannot overlook the fact that there are those who have made real-life fortunes by engaging in virtual businesses.

On the other hand, there has also been talk going around which say that the real reason for this is actually a conflict of interest, as eBay's founder, Pierre Omidyar, has been a major investor in Linden Lab since 2004.