A federal court's ruling to grant eBay Inc. an injunction against Bidder's Edge Inc. led the popular auction portal to seek a stay of the preliminary injunction Friday.

The Bidder's Edge site features a search service that allows visitors to track auctions on a number of auction sites. But eBay argued that Bidder's Edge does not have the right to create an index of eBay auctions without its permission.

U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Whyte, said eBay would most likely win its argument when the suit goes to trial. Whyte said that if anyone was free to create an index of the eBay site, the resulting traffic on the site could make it more difficult for auction customers to use the service. In a written statement, Whyte likened Bidders Edge's play to trespassing.

James Carney, president and chief executive officer of Bidder's Edge, said he was disappointed, but not surprised, by the ruling.

In a conference call Friday, Carney said such rulings were unfamiliar territory for judges because the Internet is presenting different challenges to lawmakers' decision making. When asked if he thought his fimr was trespassing, Carney said no.

"It would be trespassing if a password was required to log on to a site, but this is not the case," Carney said. "These sites are open to all. That does not constitute trespassing. The Internet is not a 'real property'. The judicial system needs guidance in these matters."

eBay sued Bidder's Edge last year, accusing the auction portal of trespassing on its site and violating its and trademarks.


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