American-based Yahoo! Inc. says it will no longer carry Nazi artifacts on its on-line auction service. The move marks a turnaround for the company which in the past has defended its right to allow the sale of Nazi memorabilia.

The banned items include objects that carry swastikas or other symbols associated with hate groups.

We decided we don't necessarily want to profit from items that promote hatred or glorify hatred and violence, says Brain Fitzgerald, senior producer for Yahoo! auctions.

In November, a French court ruled Yahoo! would face stiff fines if it didn't prevent French Internet users from taking part in auctions where hate-related items were up for sale. Fitzgerald however says the French court order has nothing to do with the stricter policies.

Yahoo! has created a monitoring program to help enforce the new ban. It will also screen auction items before they are listed.

The new ban, which takes effect Jan. 10, also applies to the Yahoo! classified listings site and its e-commerce partners.