MercExchange, L.L.C. v. eBay, Inc.
Docket: Nos. 03-1600 to 03-1616
Court: Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; July 6, 2006; Federal Appellate Court
The case is remanded to the district court following a decision by the United States Supreme Court in eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, which determined that both the district court and the appellate court did not apply the traditional four-factor framework for granting injunctive relief. The Supreme Court vacated the previous judgment, emphasizing that the decision to grant or deny injunctive relief is within the equitable discretion of district courts and must adhere to established principles of equity, applicable to patent disputes as well. The mandate instructs that the district court should apply the correct framework for injunctive relief without further proceedings in the appellate court at this time. The district court's subsequent decision will be subject to further review by the appellate court. The order concludes with the judgment of the district court being vacated and the case remanded for further proceedings in accordance with the Supreme Court's opinion.