Do you have a question regarding the use of the eBay name or logo? Would you like to link from your website to the eBay homepage or to a list of your eBay auctions? Are you unsure about registering a domain name, which contains "eBay" in it? The guidelines below will give you an idea of what might be allowed. If you have any questions concerning this page or need to make a permission request, please send us an email. (Prohibited and Restricted Items should be reported through our Contact Rules and Safety page.)

The eBay Name
It is generally permissible for you to refer to eBay on your website, in auction listings or in advertisements in a descriptive manner. For example, you might say "Check out my antique items on eBay," or "I sell on eBay." By the way, eBay is always spelled "eBay"; it is never spelled "Ebay" or "e-Bay." You should not refer to eBay in any way that might lead someone to believe that your company or site is sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by eBay. If you are unsure about a particular use of the eBay name, please send us an email. (Prohibited and Restricted Items should be reported through our Contact Rules and Safety page.)

The eBay Logo
The eBay name and logo are registered trademarks in the United States and many other countries. We generally do not permit the use of the eBay logo by third parties absent a written license agreement. We usually do not permit the use of the eBay logo on any type of promotional materials, flyers or websites, or in your auction listings. We also do not permit third parties to make or sell merchandise, homemade or otherwise, bearing the eBay logo, including but not limited to the following:

• Business cards (PowerSellers logo is permitted)

• Shirts/Hats and other clothes

• Shop windows

• Mailing labels

• Mousepads

• Buttons

• Coins

• Mugs

• Dolls

• Toys

eBay Affiliates Program
It is also possible through the eBay Affiliates Program for you to earn money by having an eBay banner ad appear on your site. Click here to learn more about the Affiliates Program.

PowerSellers Logo
If you are a registered eBay PowerSeller you can use the eBay PowerSeller's logo for certain uses. Please review the PowerSellers Program Agreement to learn about the permitted uses.

Linking to eBay From Your Website
If you have a web site, you may be interested to know that you can go to the following page to obtain an eBay button which you can put on your site to link visitors to eBay's home page or to the list of your eBay auctions. Click here to learn more.

Framing the eBay Site
It is not permissible to frame or alter the way in which our web site is viewed. Framing generally means causing third party content to appear above or around the eBay site.

eBay Domain Names
Intellectual property aspects of domain names - in particular domains that are the same as those of trademarks, corporate names and celebrities - have been a major point of contention across the globe. While it has become very popular to register, use and sell domain names (including on eBay), it generally is not permissible to own, sell or use a domain name, which contains a trademark owned by another person or company.

eBay owns exclusive trademark rights in the eBay name in the United States and in many countries internationally. The ownership, use or sale of a domain name, which contains the eBay name, is not permitted because it is likely to be considered a trademark infringement. We do not give permission to third parties to register domain names containing "eBay." Also, eBay auction listings attempting to sell such domains are likely to be ended by eBay.

Certain types of uses of domain names may also subject the owner to additional penalties. The United States Congress recently passed a statute called the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act of 1999, which provides for penalties of up to $100,000 against persons who in bad faith and without authorisation, use, sell, or offer for sale a domain name which infringes another's trademark. Click here for more information on trademark law.

Requests for Permission to Use eBay Logos or Screenshots
We occasionally permit the use of eBay logos or screenshots by third parties. For example, we may permit the use of an eBay screen shot in an educational textbook or a motion picture. However, such uses of screenshots or the eBay logo usually require a written license from eBay. If you want to seek permission to use a logo or screen shot, please submit your request by going to our Permissions Request Form.

If you should have any other questions or concerns regarding the use of eBay's trademarks or other intellectual property, please send us an email. (Prohibited or Restricted Items should be reported through our Contact Rules and Safety page.)