eBay Bianconi ban seems to be over

The ban came in through their VRO program last year after a dispute in Italy over who owned the rights to the glass designer’s name and designs.

Nottingham glass dealer Vanessa Paterson was one of those who challenged the ban, which effectively meant that she and others trading in wares designed by Bianconi were having their business shut down on the Web.

She complained that eBay had simply followed the wishes of the Bianconi family, who were laying claim to all rights connected with his works, without the online giant checking if their claim was valid.

Now it seems that eBay have followed up their promise to investigate the matter and have withdrawn the ban.

In September and October the Antiques Trade Gazette reported how the Venini factory of Venice, for whom Bianconi designed, were stepping up legal action against the family. The factory claimed to have documents giving them the rights in perpetuity to the name and designs, and they also revealed that they had already spent eight years taking the family through the courts after they had refused to acknowledge the factory’s rights. Venini said that despite two judgments in the factory’s favour so far, the dispute had yet to be resolved.

The matter is still before the courts.

Whereas before the Bianconi family were insisting in vetting any objects traded under the designer’s name – and threatening legal action against anyone who did not comply – now they seem to be asking people to respect their wishes and visit their website.

On the website itself, however, they have not relinquished any claim to the rights.

With eBay having apparently dropped the ban, it is not clear whether they will now pursue the Bianconis for being in breach of the VRO program. Those registering a rights claim must sign a document that states any false claim may lay the signatory open to a charge of perjury.