Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
EBay exec: Craigslist knew we could compete
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
EBay exec: Craigslist knew we could compete
Reuters - Thursday, December 10
Send
IM Story
Print
Former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman exits the courthouse after testifying in the eBay versus Craigslist trial at the Chancery Court in Georgetown, Delaware December 7, 2009. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer
Slideshow: Full Photo Coverage: Internet Portals & Search Engines
By Alexandria Sage
SAN FRANCISCO - Craigslist executives were well aware that eBay Inc could compete in online classifieds when they negotiated a deal to sell it a minority stake, a former eBay executive testified in court on Wednesday.
Garrett Price, who was eBay's principal deal maker in its $32 million agreement to acquire a 28.4 percent stake in Craigslist in 2004, also said half of that amount -- which went to Craigslist founder Craig Newmark and CEO Jim Buckmaster -- amounted to "extortion."
EBay, which sued Craigslist in Delaware in 2008, is fighting over its stake in the popular online classifieds site. It claims that privately held Craigslist unfairly diluted the stake to 24.85 percent, thereby denying eBay a seat on its board.
Defendant Craigslist has sued eBay, meanwhile, in San Francisco over the same issues, saying that eBay used confidential information from Craigslist in order to launch its own competing online classifieds site, Kijiji.
Price testified that the two parties had discussions about the possibility of competition before the deal was signed.
"It was very clearly understood ... they were not seeking from us a bar on our ability to compete but simply trying to delineate what would be the consequences if we did compete," said Price, testifying on the third day of the trial.
Price, now a vice president of business development at eBay's PayPal unit, said the categories of jobs and apartments were the most concerning to Newmark and Buckmaster because "those were the two categories on which they had paid listings, so they accounted for 100 percent of their revenue."
Price, who said eBay had no restrictions on competing abroad under the agreement, said it would lose certain rights were it to delve into the jobs category in the United States.
But the company sought to keep a non-compete agreement narrowly tailored so as not to restrict eBay's business, Price said, adding that Craigslist was aware that eBay already operated online classifieds businesses in Europe.
"Did you ever tell Mr. Newmark or Buckmaster ... that a non-compete was ... a Defcon 5 deal breaker?" asked eBay's attorney, using a term Price wrote in an email. The term, which stands for Defense Readiness Condition, refers to a level of military readiness for an attack.
"Yes, I did. It was made clear to me that this was extremely sensitive," said Price.
When Buckmaster brought up the idea of a non-compete agreement, Price discouraged it, he said. "I went pretty ballistic about it. I was very clear to them this would be a big problem," Price said. "I would never get approval for it."
"SULLY" REPUTATION
The $16 million payment to Newmark and Buckmaster as part of the deal amounted to "extortion," Price said. EBay paid another $16 million to shareholder Phillip Knowlton for his stake.
"The motivation, from my perspective, was an emotional one. They did not feel it fair, rightly or wrongly, that Mr. Knowlton receive compensation that they did not receive," Price said.
"They took great pains to avoid it being disclosed," he said, adding Newmark and Buckmaster believed knowledge of the payment "would sully" the reputation of Craigslist, known for its disinterest in making money and anti-corporate values.
Earlier in the day, a Craigslist attorney cross-examined eBay counsel Brian Levey and disclosed emails showing that non-public financial data from Craigslist, such as balance sheets and income statements, were passed among eBay executives.
Levey acknowledged under cross examination that executives charged with starting the U.S. classified business also had access to the information.
The trial, being broadcast over Courtroom View Network, is expected to continue through the week.
The case is eBay Domestic Holdings Inc v Newmark, et al, Delaware Chancery Court, No. 3705-CC.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Climate change 'Plan B' awaits if diplomacy fails AFP - Thursday, December 10
'Anti-social network' aims to be Facebook killer app AFP - Thursday, December 10
US-TECH Summary Reuters - Thursday, December 10
Facebook privacy revamp draws fire Reuters - Thursday, December 10
Variety to begin building 'pay wall' around website AFP - Thursday, December 10
News Search
Top Stories
Brown, Sarkozy in united front on bank bonuses
Qatar emir calls for gas and oil price alignment
Three women take Ireland to court over right to abort
Britain taxes bankers' bonuses as recession deepens
Greece says debt threatens nation, promises action
More Top Stories »
Related Full Coverage
Internet Portals & Search EnginesLatest development in the online world
All Full Coverage »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Greece under pressure to take budget action
Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism
Ohio executes inmate with single drug
Woods' mother-in-law rushed to hospital
US agency suggests Christmas gifts for the disaster age
More Most Viewed »
Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis
Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study
Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism
Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate
Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 10 December 2009 Iraqi man, lucky dog reunite after Baghdad blast
Three women take Ireland to court over right to abort
Facebook rolls out new privacy tool
Pentagon chief warned over Afghan army problems
Britain taxes bankers' bonuses as recession deepens
NATO sees pick-up in Afghan combat, warns on deaths
|
Pay babysitter on iPhone, says Twitter
Pakistani military has 'degraded' Taliban groups: US general
Greece says debt threatens nation, promises action
US-TECH Summary
Iraq's Maliki blasts foreign support for bombings
Thousands in Jerusalem protest settlement freeze
|
Giant iceberg spotted south of Australia
France Telecom follows Apple's lead, launches applications
Egypt reported working on Gaza border wall
|
Climate talks seek calm after fury at draft text
Facebook redraws site's privacy boundaries
Afghan civilians could have died in raid: NATO
Briton guilty of trans-Atlantic airline bomb conspiracy
|
Settlers protest in Jerusalem against freeze
Iraq says deaths from Tuesday's bombings lower
Iran says former deputy defence minister held by U.S.
Apple to launch tablet in spring 2010: analyst
|
5 Americans detained in Pakistan raid
Pay hike fosters uptick in Afghan army recruits
Neo-Nazi in murder trial gets makeover for trial
KRouge court dismisses bias claims against judge
Book returned to Ohio library after 60 years
Filipino worker beheaded by militants: official
U.S. hacker pleads guilty in more store break-ins
|
NJ fugitive worked for Homeland Security in Ga.
Japan to give US base relocation plan next week
WWII veteran had Hitler's art book on bookshelf
Philippines files rebellion charges over massacre
France Telecom follows Apple's lead, launches applications
|
Myanmar's Suu Kyi meets junta liaison: official
Japanese police praised for arrest of Hawker suspect
Gatorade drops Tiger drink; decided before wreck
AP NewsAlert
Recount to start in tight Atlanta runoff for mayor
US praises resettlement of Sri Lankan refugees
Dean embraces Senate compromise on health care
Thai Airways sues protesters over airport closure
Panasonic completes Sanyo takeover: source
VW to boost Indian presence with Suzuki stake
Statue of Obama as boy erected in Indonesian park
Suntory buys majority stake in China wine importer
Thousands gather in Indonesian anti-graft rallies
China says it will continue to push consumption
Morgan Freeman brings touch of God to Mandela film
|
Dubai Islamic Bank's Pakistan unit expands operations
ABC to tap Stephanopoulos as co-anchor of GMA
|
Volkswagen to buy 20 percent of Suzuki for $2.5B
Tyler Perry says mom, inspiration for Madea, has died
|
Supermodel Bundchen and QB Tom Brady have baby boy
Supermodel Gisele Bundchen has first baby
|
EU honours Neapolitan 'mother of all pizzas'
Seychellois man's Herculean pirate treasure hunt
Croatia's tourist figures slightly decrease
God of love exhibition set to open in Athens
Rwandan genocide film aims to promote reconciliation abroad
Brian Bonsall appears briefly in Colo. court
Depp to play Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa
Charitable trust refiles `Dukes' royalties lawsuit
Aiken takes name off voter list, ending NC probe
News
News
News
News
News
Brown, Sarkozy in united front on bank bonuses
Amnesty says Iran rights at lowest ebb in 20 years
Climate change 'Plan B' awaits if diplomacy fails
Petraeus sees short-term rise in Afghan violence
|
Iraq's March vote won't affect U.S. drawdown
'Anti-social network' aims to be Facebook killer app
Qatar emir calls for gas and oil price alignment
Iraqi MPs to question interior minister over blasts
China says opposed to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan
|
Al-Qaida claims this week's deadly Baghdad blasts
Facebook privacy revamp draws fire
Iraq's March vote won't affect U.S. drawdown: Pentagon
|
Zelaya talks to leave Honduras for Mexico hit snag
|
Variety to begin building 'pay wall' around website
Thousands in Jerusalem protest settlement freeze
French, British leaders to meet after job spat
|
Pakistani military has 'degraded' Taliban groups: US general
Nokia to close U.S. flagship stores
US residents gorging on data bytes: study
Colombia raps Venezuela over FARC rebel insult
|
Saudi crown prince to return home after treatment
Briton guilty of trans-Atlantic airline bomb conspiracy
|
EBay exec: Craigslist knew we could compete
Cisco and British Telecom head for the "cloud"
AOL going public after Time Warner divorce
Jerusalem protest against slowdown in settlement building
Nokia to close U.S. flagship stores
EBay exec: Craigslist knew we could compete
|
US envoy has 'very useful' nuclear talks in NKorea
US aiding Pakistan in alleged terror plot arrests
Nokia to close U.S. flagship stores
|
US, Russia closing in on nuclear agreement
Swine flu strikes isolated North Korea
Berkeley council sends hangers as abortion message
Facebook privacy revamp draws fire
|
SF law on illegal immigrant youth to take effect
Philippine forces hunt for hostages after beheading
Obama departs for Norway to accept Nobel prize
Aussie firefighters face tough fire conditions
Mass. driver convicted of running over mother duck
Developing nations clash over climate targets
Colo. team predicts above-average hurricane season
U.S. online holiday spending up 3 percent: comScore
|
U.S. envoy ends trip to North Korea
House Roll Call: How they voted on tax break bill
Hawaii leads nation in public health spending
Guam says can't take US base at centre of Japan row
China climate envoy criticises rich nations
Police eye clues in death of prominent LA lawyer
Five U.S. men arrested in Pakistan
House debates bank oversight changes
HIGHLIGHTS-S.Korea central bank chief's comments
Pakistan
Philippines says exports fall moderates
Hollywood eyes record $10 bln box office for 2009
"Twilight: Eclipse" to play in Imax theaters
Korea Hot Stocks
Hollywood breaks revenue record of $9.68 billion
Garlic prices soar in China
Taiwan dollar rises on exporter deals
Hollywood eyes record $10 bln box office for 2009
|
Seoul shares rangebound; muted response to BOK
Boyle's Dream continues at No. 1 on album chart
|
Oprah's channel to feature film club series
|
China extends, adjusts pro-consumption policies
NZ-Aussie dlrs treated differently
Rihanna announces UK arena tour
|
220-million-dollar fine for Taiwan firm in price-fixing case
Bruce Springsteen speaks out for gay marriage
|
Broadway star Idina Menzel heading to Glee
|
Obamas, Winfrey talk gifts on Christmas special
Mormon US senator records 'catchy' Hanukkah tune
Supermodel Gisele Bundchen has first baby
|
Galatoire's in New Orleans sells majority interest
Velvet Underground reunites -- to talk
|
NC elections board ends exam of 'Idol' runner-up
Twilight: Eclipse to play in Imax theaters
|
Velvet Underground reunites -- to talk
Bruce Springsteen speaks out for gay marriage
"Twilight: Eclipse" to play in Imax theaters
Rihanna announces UK arena tour
Shalev leaving 'The Early Show' on CBS
CBS pulls plug on 'As the World Turns' after 54 years
New Russian missile fails again in test: reports
Defense Secretary Gates arrives in Iraq
French army sides with Mozilla in Microsoft email war
Thai anti-government protesters demand new elections
|
On Syria border: No sign of Saddam loyalists
Russian nuclear missile test fails, visible in Norway
|
Embattled Iraq insurgency shifts tactics, eyes poll
|
Human rights violations in Iran worst for 20 years: Amnesty
Gunmen hold 57 hostages in Philippines
|
Afghanistan no worse than Iraq in 2007: US general
Human rights violations in Iran worst for 20 years: Amnesty
|
China detains three in new toxic milk scare
|
Europol arrests 115 suspects in child sex raids
|
Frigid temperatures follow heavy snow into Midwest
French army sides with Mozilla in Microsoft email war
|
Video games take bigger role in education
|
Company: Cobalt mining in Idaho to start in 2011
Malaysia charges 3 for graft in huge port scandal
N.Korea accepts S.Korea swine flu aid offer
US: American soldier dies in Iraq
Others 'more deserving' of Nobel award: Obama
Nokia pulls plug on U.S. flagship stores
|
SKorea vows to go ahead with Afghan troop dispatch
Court to rule if Polanski can fight case from afar
Swimming golds take Singapore top of SEA Games table
SF Bay schools phase out gay-friendly curriculum
ADB: Philippine poverty up despite economic growth
Officials: Gang rivalry led to Calif. prison riot
All children among Philippine hostages released
Experiment to test killing 1 owl to help another
India seeks Chicago man for Mumbai questioning
Promotion day arrives for white Conn. firefighters
Statue of Obama as boy erected in Indonesian park
Taiwan says no to Tiger Woods-style animated news
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Pakistani o/n rates ease; rupee flat; stocks up
Dubai stocks close on strongest gain since crisis
S.Korean economy to grow 5 pct in 2010: ministry
WRAPUP 1-Bank of Korea flags earlier rate rise
Surging Chinese property prices stoke bubble fears
India's Gurinder Chadha tackles migration with humor
|
Audacious actress got close to the president
Malaysian firm buys Friendster social network site
Court to rule if Polanski can fight case from afar
China says US, Russia dumped electrical steel
Azerbaijan's traditional music thrives again
India food prices jump 19 percent on poor rainfall
Bali Democracy Forum opens in Indonesia
Hong Kong women shrug off tattoo taboo
Bikini Baristas Ruled Adult Entertainment
Ceausescu's final hours depicted in new play
High School Student Suffers Heart Attack After Tryouts
Van Dyck self-portrait sells for £8.3 mln
Recount Confirms Winner Of Atlanta's Mayoral Race
Police Arrest Suspect In Brutal Rape, Kidnapping OF 91-Year-Old Woman
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
USIBC Commercial Nuclear Mission Holds Talks with NPCIL
India's Gurinder Chadha tackles migration with humor
Cops Find Robber Using GPS-enabled Microwave
Poverty in SAfrica: 3 cows and a forced marriage
Sister of Clemmons Charged In Connection With Case
Obama Administration Opens Federal Coffers To Weather Battered Virginia
Oprah's channel to feature film club series
South Carolina Panel Votes To Censure, Not Impeach, Gov. Sanford
In Oslo To Receive Nobel Prize, Obama Says 'Others More Deserving' Of Award
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights