eBay under DOJ investigation

The Justice Department is looking into auctioneer eBay Inc.'s (Nasdaq: EBAY) efforts to limit software probes of its Web site by other online companies, a dispute that could help define rules of engagement for Internet commerce.

The preliminary investigation by the department's antitrust division is still at an early stage, and there is no indication that it will result in legal action against eBay. But a team of investigators is examining the online-auction market and has met with two smaller auction sites, AuctionWatch.com Inc. and Bidder's Edge Inc. Full story to follow. -- Wall Street Journal