3 min article

Unsolicited idea submissions policy

At eBay, we appreciate comments from our members on our products and services. But we have a long-standing policy of not accepting unsolicited suggestions, ideas, or proposals.

We have this policy to avoid misunderstandings because new products, services, and features developed internally by eBay employees might be similar or even identical to a member's idea.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I send a suggestion to eBay?

We appreciate your input, but we can't respond to suggestions that are sent to eBay. We might have been working on a similar idea internally already, and want to avoid any potential misunderstandings around ownership of the idea. If you do send us an idea, we won't be able to consider it as your property or as confidential information.

If you use my suggestion on eBay, will you pay me?

No. If you send us an unsolicited idea, we won't pay you for it, even if we use a similar idea on eBay.

Read our full policy

Unsolicited idea submissions policy overview

eBay is always pleased to hear from members of the eBay community and welcomes their comments regarding eBay's products and services. However, eBay’s long-standing company policy does not allow eBay to accept or consider ideas, suggestions, proposals or materials other than those eBay has specifically requested. eBay hopes members will understand that this policy is intended to help eBay avoid future misunderstandings when new products, services and features developed internally by eBay employees might be similar or even identical to a member’s idea.

Important Note:

If a member sends us an unsolicited suggestion, idea, proposal or other material (collectively, the “Submission”), eBay will consider the Submission to be non-confidential and non-proprietary. eBay shall have no obligations concerning the Submission, contractual or otherwise (including but not limited to an obligation to keep the Submission confidential), and shall not be liable for any use or disclosure of any Submission. eBay shall be entitled to unrestricted use of the Submission for any purpose whatsoever, commercial or otherwise, without compensation to the member.

If a member sends us, at our request, a comment or suggestion to improve the eBay site or add a new category or feature (for example, through our suggestion box, customer support web forms, discussion boards, or otherwise) (collectively, the "Submission"), eBay will consider the Submission to be non-confidential and non-proprietary. eBay shall have no obligations concerning the Submission, contractual or otherwise (including but not limited to an obligation to keep the Submission confidential), and shall not be liable for any use or disclosure of any Submission. eBay shall be entitled to unrestricted use of the Submission for any purpose whatsoever, commercial or otherwise, without compensation to the member.

Sending us suggestions

If after reading this a member still wants to send a suggestion, select the link that best describes the suggestion:

Tip
If you have questions or need support, please contact us through our help channels. The above forms are for the submission of suggestions only and we don't respond to them.

Why does eBay have this policy?

eBay has this policy in order to avoid the potential of future misunderstandings if new products, services or features developed internally by eBay employees are similar to, or even identical with, ideas that may have independently occurred to eBay members.

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