Much Ado About Nothing: The Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industries Have Little to Fear in the Post-eBay World

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 180 I. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF UNDER THE PATENT ACT AND THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT TEST ................................................................. 183 A. Patent Act and Injunctive Relief .............................................. 183 B. The Federal Circuit Approach................................................. 184 II. THE DISPUTE .................................................................................. 186 A. Background.............................................................................. 186 B. District Court Decision............................................................ 189 C. Federal Circuit Decision ......................................................... 191 III. EBAY V. MERCEXCHANGE, 126 S. CT. 1837 (2006)....................... 192 A. The Argument Over Equity ...................................................... 193 B. Biotech & Pharma Weigh In.................................................... 197 C. The Supreme Court .................................................................. 199 IV. IMPLICATIONS ON THE BIOTECH AND PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES..................................................................................... 201 A. Irreparable Harm .................................................................... 203 B. Lack of a Remedy at Law ......................................................... 206 C. Balancing of the Hardships ..................................................... 207 D. Public Interest.......................................................................... 208 E. Other Considerations............................................................... 210 CONCLUSION......................................................................................... 211