eBay deals blow to Microsoft service

Microsoft’s attempts to corner another part of the cybercommerce world has taken a severe blow after eBay, the online auction house, announced that it is tio drop the MSN Passport payment system from next month.

In future, eBay members will have to sign in through the site directly. "Once this takes place, the Microsoft Passport button that is currently displayed on Sign In pages will be replaced with links to a page with more information, including Help in case you cannot remember your User ID or password," said the eBay announcement, posted overnight. "As part of this change, we will also discontinue sending eBay Notifications through Microsoft .Net alerts."

Read the complete story here. (The Times)