eBay agrees to pay roughly $56 million to settle a case brought by a couple accused of directing a harassment campaign against people who criticized the company online. According to reports, the settlement follows allegations that the couple received threatening deliveries after they posted criticism of eBay on a blog. The packages reportedly included items such as funeral wreaths and live cockroaches. The outlets say the settlement amount is $55.7 million (with one report citing $56 million) and is intended to resolve the dispute without further litigation.
The reports characterize the case as centered on harassment directed at critics and the threat implied by the unusual and offensive deliveries. Details about the couple’s specific relationship to the acts alleged, and eBay’s response beyond the settlement, are not provided in the excerpts. The settlement is described as a resolution of the matter rather than a public court ruling establishing liability after a trial.
