Ebay To Ban Rolf Harris Art

[anotheoldgit]

Are EBAY correct in their decision?

/// Online auction house eBay is considering a ban on artwork and other items related to Rolf Harris following his conviction. ///

/// Trade of the former painter's work surged after he was found guilty of 12 counts of sexual assault on Monday. ///

/// But in a statement yesterday, the website said it may block the items. ///

/// The company said: 'eBay doesn't allow sale of offensive items on our site, including those related to criminal activity. ///

/// 'As soon as an issue comes to light, we immediately remove any listings which relate to the allegations. We continually review our policies and have considered these situations carefully. ///

/// 'We are in the process of closely reviewing the items for sale on our site that relate to Rolf Harris. We acted immediately when we learnt of the allegations and have kept this issue under continuous review.' ///

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2680411/Rolf-Harris-leaves-home-boat-family-including-daughter-Bindi-sentenced-today.html

Seems strange when they are prepared to sell certain Nazi memorabilia.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_kw=nazi+memorabilia

[Old_Geezer]

The motive may be a good one but I think they need to consider when things are likely to be taken too far. Before you know it folk will be campaigning to burn works of art or books etc..

[ChillDoubt]

We had a similar discussion after the Glitter trial i.e. does one remove his tracks from the iPod playlist?
The general concensus then was that they should remain - just.
I don't know whether to remove Two Little Boys, it was one song that could genuinely bring a tear to the eye of an ex Serviceman.
Not sure I could even listen to it now.

Damn you Rolf Harris.

[youngmafbog]

//The company said: 'eBay doesn't allow sale of offensive items on our site, including those related to criminal activity//

So there is the test. Does the item in question fall within that. And it is the item that is offensive not the person who made it.

[Barmaid]

I'm going to get yelled at for this, I know......

I have to say, much as I am sensitive to those who have been victims of predators, we cannot completely erase them.

His art (and I've never been a fan) is not an "offensive item" nor is it related to criminal activity. The fact that the producer of this art has been judged to be a predatory paedophile does not mean it needs to be removed from the public. If anyone is stupid enough to buy it, that's their look out. Ebay can, however, do what they want.

Given however I just did a search for "Mein Kampf" and came up with 76 items, I cant help thinking there is some double standards going on there.

[ChillDoubt]

And ironically, 666 items for Gary Glitter on eBay.

666, you couldn't make it up!!

[ludwig]

His paintings aren't related to any criminal activity as far as I can see.

[Khandro]

It would be a shrewd move to buy up all you can.

[Peter Pedant]

I agree with Barmaid because I think she's great !

How censorious we have become since the sixties. Rerun of the change from 1820-1860 - and how we used to laugh at the Victorians with their white meat, and saying 'running as fast as their limbs could carry them' as 'leg' was rude.

Sensible Bindi was wondering how she could get her artistic sculptor's hands on Rolf's eleven million. and her fren', the abused one, was asking only for £25 000.

The outcry over selling the concentration camps striped uniform,
people were saying men have died in this etc
my own comment was the photo shows a pink triangle- it's certainly not yellow. It could have been red. I cant recollect if the outcry went away.

[Peter Pedant]

Elton John exhibited his small colection of Tukes - Newlyn arteest - and the police raided the gallery.

gallery was pleased I daresay.

I will let you goggle image:tuke

[royfromaus]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=gary+glitter&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313&_nkw=gary+glitter&_sacat=0

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=gary+glitter&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313&_nkw=micheal+jackson&;_sacat=0

What is good for one should be good for all.

[ChillDoubt]

To be pedantic though roy, Jackson was never convicted in court, only by media.
His wealth may have ensured any other allegations.

[ChillDoubt]

Ensured against, rather.

[royfromaus]

You can not pay out millions in this country to escape the inconvenience of a trial.

[ChillDoubt]

You can not pay out millions in this country to escape the inconvenience of a trial.
----------------
Thankfully, no.
You can spend a lot on lunches though to avoid other things:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370365/Revenue-boss-entertained-Vodafone-accountants-weeks-6bn-tax-deal.html

[youngmafbog]

Yes you can roy. It may not be legal or moral but you can.

[mikey4444]

I seem to recall that the watercolour daubs by a certain Mr A Hitler still continue to fetch good prices at auction.

[boxtops]

I agree with Barmaid. His paintings don't in any way describe paedophilia or sexual perversion. I wouldn't buy one now, any more than I'd buy anything to do with JS, but there are those who will. They should stay on sale.

[Caribeing]

We were on a cruise a few years ago and Rolf Harris's paintings were on display in the Art Gallery, the were very expensive but within buying which I had considered as I thought it might have been a good investment, thank goodness I changed my mind and went shopping for other souvenirs!

[Iggle Piggle]

Ebay are a law unto themselves nowadays with all their rules and regulations. They have become too big for their boots. Time for some competition to bring them to earth.

[Peter Pedant]

His painting technique is certainly competent.

what a censorious age we live in - Peston's blog has been lifted because one of the banks that caused the financial crisis think bygones should be bygones