eBay to exempt 'Second Life' listings from virtual items ban

Despite eBay's decision, as reported by Slashdot, to de-list any auctions for items from virtual worlds and online games, the company now says it will specifically exempt Second Life from that policy.

eBay spokesman Hani Durzy told CNET News.com Monday that that exemption stems from the auction giant's interpretation of what Second Life is.

"If someone participates in Second Life and wants to sell something they own, we are not at this point proactively pulling those listings off the site," said Durzy. "We think there is an open question about whether Second Life should be regarded as a game."

That statement should make Second Life publisher Linden Lab very happy, as it has tried for years to hammer home the point that its virtual world is not a game. But to have that position supported by as august an institution as eBay should definitely bolster Linden Lab's argument, regardless of what other observers think.

In the meantime, however, if you're trafficking in the virtual goods from other virtual worlds or online games, such as Ultima Online, World of Warcraft, EverQuest or any other, watch out. The eBay auction scissors are coming.