EBay v. Bidder's Edge

Citation: eBay, Inc. v. Bidder's Edge, Inc., 100 F.Supp.2d 1058 (N.D. Cal. 2000).

Factual Background
Bidder's Edge used a robot to scan eBay's website about 100,000 times per day to access information on ongoing auctions, which it then posted on its own site. eBay sued for, inter alia, trespass to chattels], claiming that the [[robot interfered with its possessory interest in its computer systems to an extent not authorized, and that the interference caused it harm.

Trial Court Proceedings
The court agreed with eBay, noting that "[c]onduct that does not amount to a substantial interference with possession, but which consists of intermeddling with or use of another's personal property, is sufficient to establish a cause of action for trespass to chattels."