eBay is by most measures one of the most successful pure-play Internet companies. It has been very successful in creating the world’s largest person-to-person trading network. Its future growth is being driven by entry into foreign markets (in Europe and Asia) and evolutions in its business models (such as the launch of fixed pricing).

The case describes a political, social, and public opinion crisis for a firm and an industry. The crisis is spurred by non-governmental organizations opposed to genetic engineering. The case highlights issues concerning the social and political environment and its impact on firm options and adoption of technological innovations.

In April 2000, Yahoo! was sued by a French anti-racist group, on the grounds that Yahoo!'s online auctions of nazi items on its U.S. site violate French law. Yahoo! Inc. finally removed these items from its site in January 2001. The cases and its annexes present the economic, legal, technical, philosophical, cultural and managerial issues.

In April 2000, Yahoo! was sued by a French anti-racist group, on the grounds that Yahoo!'s online auctions of nazi items on its U.S. site violate French law. Yahoo! Inc. finally removed these items from its site in January 2001. The cases and its annexes present the economic, legal, technical, philosophical, cultural and managerial issues.