eBay removes all "virtual property" auctions

If you were hoping in buying that new Burning Crusade epic sword on eBay this weekend then think again.

I spoke today with a media representative for the company, who confirmed that eBay is now delisting all auctions for ‘virtual artifacts’ from the site. This includes currency, items, and accounts/characters; not even the ‘neopoints’ used in the popular Neopets service is exempt from this decision.

Unlike other games, like Entropia, which allow you to acquire money, eBay seems to be heading in the opposite direction. Does this mark the end for Chinese farmers, or will a new platform auction emerge for virtual items? I smell a gil-maker coming on.