News Release 
CONTACT: Aida Mayo,
MAYO Communications
MAYO Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2002
PASADENA ENTREPRENEUR KEITH SHIREY FILES FTC
COMPLAINT AGAINST E-BAY FOR CENSORING SATIRICAL
ENRON AND ANTI-OSAMA BIN LADEN BUTTONS
***
Little David, CEO Keith F. Shirey Zings eBay Goliath in
Round Two Freedom to post Buttons
Pasadena, CA � Archival Digital Art (www.buybuttons.com) button designer and retired Political Science Professor Keith F. Shirey has filed a complaint against eBay with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in Washington D.C. �I have wholesale clients selling my politically sensitive buttons on eBay, however when I try to post the exact same product I get a warnings of censorship,� said Shirey.
The buttons banned from the site include satirical buttons about the Enron debacle and an anti-Osama bin Laden button. The buttons depicted the Enron scandal in designs like �Watergate, Irangate, and Enrongate� with an image of a paper shredder. An email to Shirey from eBay customer service said �The sale of items offering social commentary about Enron is not currently permitted for sale on eBay at this time.� Later, eBay reversed its action after media pressure from wire services such as Dow Jones as well as button designers. Shirey said, �One reporter asked me �Could it really be true that eBay doesn�t support the war effort?��
In his letter to the FTC, Shirey says his �complaint against eBay is based on facts that conclusively proved that it engages in unfair labor practices. eBay allows others to use its auction sites to offer products similar and even identical to mine, but then it censored my products! Furthermore, they threaten me with suspension from eBay if I list products for an auction similar to those offered by others.�
On September 21, 2001 eBay gave Shirey notice of an auction that was cancelled, because the two buttons offered for auction were World Trade Center related items. The auction, #1007801219 offered buttons that 1) showed an angry uncle Sam with the words, �We�re Coming To Get You� and 2) a picture of Osama bin Laden inside a red circle with a red diagonal bar across his face. eBay�s rationale for canceling the auction was that �out of respect for the many members of the eBay community personally affected by the tragedy at the WTC, we are temporarily suspending.... items related to this tragedy.�
In January of 2002, having heard that eBay revised its policy on WTC items, Shirey sent e-mail to eBay asking if he could reinstate the two anti-terrorist buttons for auction. �I received a response on January 28, 2002 from Baxter Rhodes, eBay Community Watch who said, �At this time, we are not permitting items such as the anti-terrorist or anti-bin Laden materials. eBay does not allow any items, which incite or condone violence or hatred. This policy predates September 11th and it takes precedence.� �In other words eBay admitted that they were wrong in stating my buttons were censored because they were WTC items and came up with a new rationale. This is so typical. They make it up as they go along," said Shirey.
�eBay still continues to censor my buttons, during this time of war against terrorists, and the hunt for Osama bin Laden, � said Shirey. Last month, Shirey told eBay that its censorship policies are �irrational, illogical, and inconsistent in application and are not in the public interest.� For example: �They don�t allow social commentary about fellow corporations, however eBay does allow the most tasteless attacks on human dignity in auctions related to the occult and devil worship,� explained Shirey. �I�m not advocating censorship of those items, but I am pointing to the inconsistency in eBay�s policy. And worse than my buttons and T-shirts, is the fact that you can order Triple �X� videos from eBay.�
In the FTC letter Shirey said �Others may auction products that are similar to mine, while mine are banned.� Shirey offered several examples of inconsistency with eBay�s policy and a pattern of discrimination and retaliation, because of his complaints to the media.
On February 5th this year eBay censored Shirey�s "Kiss My Royal Irish Ass" button. That button had a statement made by firefighter Mike Moran directed at Osama bin Laden, at a fundraiser for New York City. eBay's rationale given by Spokesman Kevin Pursgrove, was that e-Bay wants a "family friendly site" and that hero Mike Moran's words were "not acceptable."
�Yet, in fact, there are literally hundreds of auctions on eBay where the word �ass� appears. For example: �TAKE IN YOUR FACE AND UP YOUR ASS 2 CD SET� and �ASS SHAKIN' BOOTY HOUSE-DHFUNK/DJ ASSAULT.� Once again, others may auctions products, which are similar to mine while my products are banned.
On eBay this week seller "cherokeejack2001" (his eBay handle--identity kept secret by eBay), has listed Shirey�s �Osama bin Laden and Kiss My Royal Irish Ass buttons� for sale on at auction on eBay, Cherokeejack is a wholesaler of Shirey's buttons. �I wholesale Cherokeejack my buttons and he sells them on eBay, but if I post them on them on eBay I face suspension,� explained Shirey. �That�s blatantly unfair business practices, which why I asked the FTC to investigate eBay�s policy.�
Shirey told the FTC that �I hope that your concern about this situation will make it possible for you to resolve it without any further action on my part. I�m only asking eBay to return my censored buttons, which ironically are being sold by wholesalers for me on eBay. But because of retaliation, I believe eBay is singling me out and deliberately trying to hurt my business.�
Shirey�s battle has sparked interest of other button designers and dissatisfied customers of eBay, some whom offered to join in Shirey�s fight to get his buttons returned, others who have constructed anti-eBay sites, which have posted their experiences in using the giant Internet auction site.
Business has also has picked up since the controversy erupted last fall after the September 11th terrorist attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon. Shirey recently designed two more buttons and political messages, which have been posted on his website www.buybuttons.com. Shirey says since the eBay censorship the demand for buttons has doubled, but he�s selling more on his website (www.buybuttons.com) than on eBay. For more info or button orders call (626) 831-3127.
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