AS usual we'll try to keep this blog structured into three parts, news about our inventory, discussions of the things we like to sell and news and views about the eBay and Auctiva experience.

This weekend was not a great weekend, but we did find a few interesting things here and there. We found a group of those ever-popular bar mirrors that may have no moral or redeeming value, but they are popular and they do sell well. some Nippon, a small Wheaton iridescent bottle in the original box, a fabulous California Studio pottery vase and a group of Royal Doulton dinnerware. Cara found a few books. Nothing earth-moving, but it will keep us busy.

As far as our specialties, I'd like to consider with the list of glass categories we like to find and offer. We left off last time with Depression Glass and Elegant Glass of the same era. To complete the classification of that rich era, we should note that Kitchen Glassware as a separate collecting category is a very popular specialty. After the Depression era ended, we entered the mod-century era with great innovations in form and designs, especially during the exciting 1950's and 60's. This period produced both the new art of the modernist era and the resurrection of many forms from the late 1800's right up through the pre-World War II era. Art nouveau reappeared, art-deco was extended, carnival glass came back in new forms; Depression era machine made pressed glass was given a second lease on life and a number of elegant glass companies created or re-created the most beautiful glass yet seen in America. Later we will visit some of the most important and influential innovations of the 1950's and 60's, many of which are only now being recognized. The late 20th century period, from 1970 to 2000 was the beginning of the end. Few real innovations in major companies were seen, more and more derivative works were based on old molds and old ideas from the rapidly disintegrating industry. The only breath of life in American glass at the end of the century was the revitalization of the studio art glass enclaves where artists began to thrive and create individual masterpieces not meant for the mass market. Later we will visit and profile some of the most brilliant artists, including a few who worked in Vermont. Soon I will slow down to apply a little meat to this lean skeleton of categories and get specific in each era and school of glass production. This should last us through the end of the year, and we will tackle European glass perhaps after the Holidays. I will try to illustrate some of the classic periods with pieces we have sold or are selling, not so much as an advertisement, but more as a homage to both the producers and collectors of these wonderful glass items.

Closing today, I have bad news with our discussions of the eBay and Auctiva worlds, we were devastated yesterday by an accusation that we have violated a valid copyright holder's intellectual property and have been threatened with having our eBay account suspended. Cara had found and listed a college textbook which had a "not for resale" advisory on the text. Cara is exceptionally well education in many fields, including the law, and we both knew that the Courts had established and consistently held that once a specific physical object is sold (a book for instance), the copyright owner still retails the full protection if their legal rights under copyright law, but the object (book in this case) can be freely marketed under a doctrine called "first sale" This concept holds that the physical object produced under protection of copyright can be sold, resold and resold indefinitely without violation of the underlying copyright. Almost a century ago, it was clearly held that the owner of the copyright could not limit this right by any provision such as "not for resale" disclaimers. There are a few firms that thrive by charging eBay merchants with copyright infringement on any pretext and threatening to have their eBay accounts closed down. In these case eBay always shuts down the sale complained against without any investigation. The assumption is that this bullying technique will prevent individual sellers from competing against the current publishers for fear of retribution from "deep pocket" professional complainers. We are not sure what we will do. Should we accept the bullying as a price of doing business or call the bluff of these professional whiners? As an aside, I want to make clear that much more of their effort is directed to software (computer programs) and media (electronic copies of music and movies). The application of decades old principles to new technology is far less clear-cut. Our position is that the application of the first sale doctrine to books is fully litigated and settled, the application of that same principles to the products of modern technology is still being worked out. We have opinions and can cite appellant Court dicta, but we understand that the final rules to live by in that arena are not yet in place. Comments based on relevant case law and statutory language is welcome. Opinions regarding what the law SHOULD BE are also welcome but will be considered as such.