Commissioner of Patents v Emperor Sports Pty Ltd [2006] FCAFC 26

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Commissioner of Patents v Emperor Sports Pty Ltd [2006] FCAFC 26 PATENTS – patent for device for players in touch football versions of Rugby League or Australian Rules football – removable strips of material to evidence touches – whether obvious – post-grant re-examination by Commissioner of Patents under Ch 9 of Patents Act 1990 (Cth) – appeal to Federal Court – whether appeal rehearing de novo – nature of Commissioner's decision – Commissioner can rely on own technical expertise – US patents alleged to be part of prior art by virtue of s 7(3) of Act – skilled person a Rugby League or Australian Rules coach, referee/umpire or administrator – whether such person could be reasonably expected to ascertain US patents – whether need for evidence – whether Commissioner should have determined application for amendment before decision on revocation WORDS AND PHRASES – "ascertained" Patents Act 1990 (Cth) ss 7(2), 7(3), 97(2), 98, 101(1), 101(4) Emperor Sports Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Patents [2005] FCA 996 affirmed Wellcome Foundation Limited v VR Laboratories (Aust) Pty Ltd (1981) 148 CLR 262 at 286 cited Aktiebolaget Hassle v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2002) 212 CLR 411 at [50] cited Jafferjee v Scarlett (1937) 57 CLR 115 at 119 applied New England Biolabs Inc v F Hoffman-La Roche AG (2004) 141 FCR 1 at [45]-[47] applied Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang (1996) 185 CLR 259 at 274-277 cited R v Milk Board; Ex parte Tomkins [1944] VLR 187 at 197 applied Kalil v Bray [1977] 1 NSWLR 256 at 261 applied R v Industrial Appeals Court; ex parte Maher [1978] VR 126 at 142 applied Rodriguez v Telstra Corporation Ltd (2002) 66 ALD 579 at 585 cited Tisdall v Health Insurance Commission [2002] FCA 97 at [103] applied Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co v Beiersdorf (Australia) Ltd (1980) 144 CLR 253 cited Firebelt Pty Ltd v Brambles Australia Ltd (2002)188 ALR 280 at [32]-[36] cited Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Ltd v Orica Australia Pty Ltd (2000) 99 FCR 151 at [190] cited COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS v EMPEROR SPORTS PTY LTD NO. NSD 1485 OF 2005 HEEREY, KIEFEL & BENNETT JJ 10 MARCH 2006 MELBOURNE (HEARD IN SYDNEY)