====== EBay Inc v. MercExchange, L.L.C., 126 S. Ct. 1837 (2006) ======

**Who:**  The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision, with concurring opinions by Justices Roberts and Kennedy

**Held:**  Courts have discretion to grant injunctive relief for patent infringement only when traditional equity principles are satisfied.  Specifically, an injunction can only be granted when the plaintiff demonstrates:
  - that it has suffered an irreparable injury; 
  - that remedies available at law are inadequate to compensate for that injury; 
  - that considering the balance of hardships between the plaintiff and defendant, a remedy in equity is warranted; and 
  - that the public interest would not be disserved by a permanent injunction

  * {{legal:ebay_05-130.pdf}}
  * [[wp>eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C. | Wikipedia Entry]]
  * 

==== Subsequent developments ====
~NEW~ The Eastern District of Virginia MercExchange’s request for permanent injunctive relief. (07/30/07)
  * [[po>patent/2007/07/mercexchange-v-.html | summary and discussion]]