The way they when about it was illegal. If the DMCA itself if filed correctly for a valid reason is not illegal, but filing it for a purpose then what it intended for is illegal, which is what they did and did it for trademark counterfeit reason, when clearly it was to protect distributors to keep others from selling at a low price. eBay by law has to remove listing till resolved, or notice is withdrawn and also has negative impact on account, unless a withdraw is issue and due to it for trademark counterfeit, you can't file a counter notice, like you can with a standard DMCA takedown order. Is it a federal offense? Actually it is in the USA, but don't think they realized that it was that serious and to be honest the "Price fixing", was just on their brand and not the market as a whole like their competition.
Now after talking to the GM and after comments in threads and PM's. I do believe it was their marketing department that screw up and yes a women did put the notice in, not going to reveal name, but was also in the PM's. Now the GM is relatively new to the company and do understand it can take a while to turn things around, so I do give the benefit of the doubt. It's more likely is the old way they did business and they figure it was ok as they done it so long and got away with it with no complaints and it's still wrong. So it a massive screw up on their part is what I chalk it up to. Point blank I don't think they know what they are doing and think it ok to go after even brown box sellers. I did explain to him it not. They need help and a adviser, that I see just from the comments alones and breakdown in communication in departments and talking to him. unfortunately I seen this scenario to often.
Do I think they are a bad horrible company that don't care and is sleazy? Honestly NO. If anything I saw them improving over the years in product design and they have the potential to exceed the competition. They just need to get ducks in a row and focus on important issue like, customer support, direct forum interaction, better communication between departments, better training need to be implemented, so everyone on the same page and regularly and quit enforcing policy on eBay resellers, as nothing good going to come out of it and just bad PR and all they are doing is effectively hurting themselves, as people see no resale value and go to competition. Siglent used items cheap is a good thing and free advertising for you guys, as people getting into the hobby looking for cheap gear will buy one and then when they upgrade if product was good, they more likely buy one new next time around and recommend you. So why would you want to kill that market? Your always have those that will go directly to authorized dealer, so it not going to hurt them, if anything may help them. As most people that getting into the field will buy used gear at first to save money and then remember that brand down the road as they advance in career and if that person in a position in a large company to buy new equipment, they will think back to what they used and had good support. Then will go to a authorized dealer, or you guy directly, as they are going to need the support and warranty. If anything I would put a authorized dealer list on the website, so people know where to go, if they need to go to a authorized dealer, then you don't have to waste people time going though eBay listings. The people that are looking for a bargain are more likely not going to pay suggested retail, they just will look elsewhere. SO PLEASE DROP IT.