Examining Guardianship in Online Auction Environments

• In Event: Crime and Place: Guardianship in Cyberspace

Abstract

Online auction websites are a popular means of purchasing goods at discount prices. Unfortunately, consumers can become easy targets for product substitution, deception, and counterfeiting activities. This study examines the guidelines, reporting mechanisms, and processes in place for a variety of online auction sites for consumers and others to address sales of product counterfeiting. This is an exploratory examination of the capacity for guardianship in online auction environments. We find that the burden of controlling the product counterfeiting problem is placed on the end-user – the consumer. Policy, research, and theoretical implications are discussed.

Authors

• Matt Weiser, Michigan State University

• Meghan Elizabeth Hollis, Michigan State University