eBay pulls bizarre auction ad
2005-02-09 11:00
Sydney - Internet auction house eBay on Wednesday withdrew an Australian couple's attempt to sell the "naming, advertising and promotional" rights to their unborn daughter for US$750 000.
In an advertisement on eBay Australia under the item title "Truman Baby", the unnamed couple from the Western Australian capital Perth invited bids for the right to name their baby girl, due on March 1.
"Offers are invited for your opportunity to be part of HISTORY in the making," stated the ad, which features a picture of a pregnant woman's stomach with the words "Reality Bites! Your Brand Here" written across it.
"We are taking bids on the naming, advertising and promotional rights to my unborn BABY GIRL!!", the ad states.
"For a period of FIVE YEARS from the date of birth, we are offering the exclusive naming rights (first name only) to my unborn baby due March 1 2005.
The auction was scheduled to end late on Wednesday but eBay withdrew the advertisement before it could be finalised. It did not give a reason for its action on the website and could not be contacted for comment.
Popular culture expert at Western Australia's Curtin University Jon Stratton said most people were uncomfortable with any get-rich quick scheme involving an unborn baby.
"It's shocking for people because they associate the sale of the name of the child with the sale of the child," he told Channel Ten.