eBay settles patent dispute

SAN JOSE, Calif. eBay announced today that it has settled a seven-year lawsuit with MercExchange over a patent dispute involving eBay's "Buy It Now" feature.

As part of the settlement, eBay said it will purchase all three patents involved in the lawsuit, as well as some additional related technology and inventions and a license to another search-related patent portfolio that was not asserted in the lawsuit. These assets will allow eBay to further enhance its operations and trust and safety efforts on its ecommerce sites.

“We’re pleased to have been able to reach a settlement with MercExchange,” said Mike Jacobson, eBay senior vp and general counsel. “In addition to resolving the litigation, this settlement gives us access to additional intellectual property that will help improve and further secure our marketplaces.”