Auction website eBay is facing further challenges from brand-owners after popular buggy manufacturuers, Maclaren and Bugaboo, announced that they wish to put restrict new pushchairs being sold via eBay shops. Another baby brand, Mamas & Papas - which accounts for a third of the market - plans to introduce a strict internet policy in September again aimed at stopping independent retailers selling its products on eBay.

The moves follow a French court ruling forcing eBay to pay £31.5 million to the designer goods group that owns Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Kenzo and Guerlain for allowing fake bags, lipsticks and designer clothes to be sold on the site (reported in 'In the News' on 1 July 2008).