Hope someone can advise me on this trademark problem:
A few months ago, I listed a model airplane on eBay. This airplane was
made of old Heineken beer cans. I bought the plane at a garage sale
for $2.50; the auction's minimum bid was $4.99. There were no bids.
A few days into the auction, I got an email from eBay that the auction
had been ended. Apparently, the model plane was in violation of
Heineken's trademark,...

Hope someone can advise me on this trademark problem:

A few months ago, I listed a model airplane on eBay. This airplane was
made of old Heineken beer cans. I bought the plane at a garage sale
for $2.50; the auction's minimum bid was $4.99. There were no bids.

A few days into the auction, I got an email from eBay that the auction
had been ended. Apparently, the model plane was in violation of
Heineken's trademark, and a law firm representing Heineken had had the
auction ended (through eBay's VeRO program). I had no idea whatsoever
that this was an offending item; it looked perfectly legitimate to me.

A few weeks later, I got a letter from the law firm basically
demanding that I pay a $2,500 settlement, or they will take me to
court. I got another letter today; a final warning before they sue me
(according to their letter, a suit could end up costing me $15,000).

WHAT DO I DO? This is ridiculous! I had no idea that this model plane
was an infringement, and I stood to make about a buck and a half after
eBay's fees. There was absolutely no premeditation on my part. For
this they want $2,500!?!

I'd think that a judge would laugh himself silly about this, but this
is a legitimate law firm and I doubt they'd file a suit they didn't
think they were going to win. I've been trying to find a lawyer, but
it seems that none of them want to talk to anyone who doesn't have a
personal injury case.

This sucks! Anyone have any suggestions or similar experiences?

Any no, this isn't a hoax or scam, it's very real.

Thanks,

Dave
manualdave2@yahoo.com