Linux Lite banned as free software from TradeMe

[Valtam]

You read right.

Linux Lite has been banned from sale on the popular NZ website http://www.trademe.co.nz (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_Me)

Full correspondence to date:

TradeMe - October 10 2015 6:49 PM (Arthur is an alias)

Dear Arthur, I'm getting in touch with you today about your recent listing(s) on Trade Me:

Linux Lite 2.6 Operating System Live DVD (#960706310)
Linux Lite 2.6 Operating System Live USB (#960121297)

You may not be aware, but we have some pretty specific rules around the sale of digital media. This covers digital media such as photos, software programs, audio files including music, or digital videos.

We don't allow any digital storage device (like hard drives, flash drives, CDs or DVDs) containing digital media if the digital media on the device would not otherwise be allowed to be listed on Trade Me.

Some examples that we wouldn't allow are a gaming console with saved games or an MP3 player with saved songs.

Given this I've had to remove your listing(s) from the site, don't worry I've refunded the fees.

If you were selling a device with saved software or music content, please feel free to delete the content and relist the device on the site.

Please review our banned and restricted list for more information about what can and cannot be sold on Trade Me:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/help/331/banned...cted-items

Please don't list items of this nature on Trade Me again. We appreciate your cooperation with this request.

Please reply if you'd like to discuss this further. Alternatively, you can call Trade Me on 0900 TRADE (0900 87233). Please be aware, calls cost $1.99 + GST per minute.

Regards,

Michael

Trade Me Support
http://www.trademe.co.nz

My reply - October 10 2015 10:46 PM

Could you please tell me what specifically has been banned on the media? I fail to see how a free Linux distribution violates your terms.

Yours sincerely,

Jerry Bezencon

Creator - Linux Lite
https://www.freecinema2022.gq

TradeMe - October 11 2015 9:48 AM

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for getting back to us.

The issue is not to do with the media itself, but the way that it is being sold. We don't allow people to list USBs and discs with copied software on them.

This is due to the laws in NZ around digital media, so we can't bend the rules in any case.

I'm sorry that we weren't able to help you sell these.

Please let me know if you need a hand with anything else and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. If you’d like to chat we are available 24/7 on 0900 TRADE (0900 872 33). Please note calls cost $1.99 + GST per minute, but you’re welcome to flick me an email at any time.

All the best.

Regards,

Alison

Trade Me Support
http://www.trademe.co.nz

My reply - October 10 2015 10:46 PM

What software is specifically copied? Do you understand the concept of free software?

Are all these listings to be banned as well? They are all linux based operating systems with free software.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/softw...321320.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/softw...128079.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/softw...128077.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/softw...253343.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/softw...045428.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/softw...868161.htm

On their page - http://www.trademe.co.nz/help/331/banned...cted-items they state:

Digital content

You may not list any of the following unless one of the exceptions below applies:

Digital content (such as photos, software, audio files including music, and digital video files).

Exceptions: Provided the item or content is classified in accordance with the FVPC Act or does not require classification, you may list:
Digital content (like games and other software) on original discs.

I've yet to hear back from them. Suffice to say this looks fairly clear cut that I'm within my rights under their terms to sell software on original discs.

I'll keep you all updated on developments.

Jerry