RIM's request followed the appeals court's refusal earlier this month to reconsider a patent infringement ruling. Today's denial moves the case back to Virginia district court. This puts the threat of an injunction on RIM's Blackberry wireless service one step closer.

The district court will decide whether to re-confirm its previously entered injunction. That injunction was issued in 2003, after a Virginia jury found that RIM had infringed on the five NTP patents. Judge James Spencer had stayed the injunction, pending an appeal.

RIM is seeking reprieve from the Supreme Court, even as Friday's denial greases the skids of Blackberry doom.