eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C.
United States Supreme Court
547 U.S. 388 (2006)
Relevant factsFree
MercExchange (plaintiff) held a business-method patent for facilitating trust in online sales between private individuals and had licensed it to other companies but failed to reach a licensing deal with eBay (defendant); after a jury found eBay's patent valid and infringed and awarded damages, the trial court declined to issue a permanent injunction, but the Federal Circuit reversed, applying a general rule that injunctions should issue absent exceptional circumstances.
IssueFree
Whether, under the Patent Act, a plaintiff seeking a permanent injunction must satisfy the traditional four-factor test.
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