eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C.

eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C. was a 2006 Supreme Court case that addressed whether a court can automatically issue a permanent injunction against patent infringement. MercExchange held a patent related to online auctions and sued eBay for infringement. The Supreme Court ruled that courts must consider various factors, such as public interest and potential harm to both parties, before granting an injunction. This decision emphasized that injunctions are not guaranteed in patent cases, allowing for more discretion in balancing the rights of patent holders with public access to technology.