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.

   

A report from tech news site Slashdot reveals that Ebay is now de-listing all auctions for "virtual artifact" from the site. "Virtual artifacts" in this case includes currency, items, and accounts/characters.

If you folks are thinking that those too lazy to grind their own high level character in your standard MMO, and only those involved in third world farming are affected by this, keep in mind that even the relatively cute and harmless neopoint - used in the popular Neopets - is not exempt from this decision.

Speaking for eBay, Mr. Hani Durzy explains that the decision to pull these items was due to the "legal complexities" involved with virtual property. After much thought, the company felt that this was the proper course of action. This is "for the overall health of the marketplace."

Moreover Durzy pointed out that the company is now just following through with a pre-existing policy. Their policy on digitally delivered goods states:

The seller must be the owner of the underlying intellectual property, or authorized to distribute it by the intellectual property owner.

Given the debatable nature of ownership of virtual property in online games, eBay has decided that for now, it is apt to remove the possibility for players to sell what might be the IP of other properties via eBay's service.

We now wonder if this will mean less or more income opportunities for third-world farmers. Moreover, given the absence of eBay as an avenue for income, we wonder if smaller virtual businessmen will now be forced to turn to larger RMT entities.

For more information on eBay's existing policy, you can scrutinize it via our read-link below.