I have been using ebay for the last 4+ years to make purchases and I
have recently seen the proliferation in counterfeit merchandise being
offered on ebay. This is dismaying to say the least since I have
recently made purchases which guarenteed a genuine article only to
find out later that it was a cheap chinese knockoff.

My question then is as follows: why doesn't ebay put an end to this??

More specifically, I am very aware of VERO, but what real legal action
has been taken against sellers of counterfeit merchandise on ebay. A
great answer would be one that included a number of actual court
decisions against individuals for selling counterfeit merchandise on
ebay along with more general information regarding the climate of Ebay
and counterfeit goods, and what measures will be taken both in the
short term and long-term to prevent this wide spread counterfeiting.

Also for those law geniuses out there, I would be interested to know
what the gamut of charges these counterfeit sellers could
theoretically receive and possible penalties associated with each.

(i.e.) conspircay to counterfeit carries a sentence of 1-2 years and $50,000 fine.

(I'm making it up, but that's what I'd like to see)

I am looking forward to hear the collective conscious speak out and
for a good answer am willing to reward a $10 tip.

Thank you all,

Counterfeiting is an enormous problem, and growing.

I remember meeting an Englishman who lived in Thailand telling me of a
Conference that he had attended on the prevention of software
counterfeiting. There were high powered delegates from the US, etc.

Inevitably, many delegates brought their wives with them and guess what?

The wives toured the local markets buying up counterfeit clothes.

How did he know?

Because his company was in charge of hospitality which included
helping the wives by providing guides.