Cooper v Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd [2006] FCAFC 187

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Cooper v Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd [2006] FCAFC 187 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – copyright –copyright infringements – sound recordings downloaded from files at remote websites accessed via links on an appellant's website – nature of conduct constituting authorization – whether necessary to have power to prevent – need for nexus between conduct and Australia – Held: an appellant operator and an appellant host of website authorized infringements – an appellant director of host also liable – an appellant employee of host merely an employee and not liable WORDS AND PHRASES – "authorizes"

Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) ss 18A, 21 Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) ss 3, 13, 85, 89, 101(1), 101(1A), 112E Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000 (Cth) Federal Court RulesO 52 r 22(3) Adelaide Corporation v Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd (1928) 40 CLR 481 discussed Allen Manufacturing Co Pty Ltd v McCallum & Co Pty Ltd (2001) 53 IPR 400 discussed Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd v Canterbury-Bankstown League Club Ltd [1964-5] NSWR 138 referred to Australasian Performing Right Association v Jain (1990) 26 FCR 53 referred to Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd v Metro on George Pty Ltd (2004) 210 ALR 244 referred to Australian Tape Manufacturers Association Ltd v Commonwealth (1993) 176 CLR 480 cited Carey-Hazell v Getz Bros & Co (Aust) Pty Ld [2006] FCAFC 48 referred to CBS Songs Ltd v Amstrad Consumer Electronics Plc [1988] AC 1013 referred to Falcon v Famous Players Film Company [1926] 2 KB 474 referred to Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Ltd v International Pools Australia Ltd (1995) 36 NSWLR 242 referred to Jumbunna Coal Mine No Liability v Victorian Coal Miners' Association (1908) 6 CLR 309 cited Kovan Engineering (Aust) Pty Ltd v Gold Peg International Pty Ltd [2006] FCAFC 117 referred to Mentmore Manufacturing Co Ltd v National Merchandising Manufacturing Co Inc (1978) 89 DLR (3d) 195 referred to Microsoft Corporation v Auschina Polaris Pty Ltd (1996) 71 FCR 231 referred to Morton-Norwich Products Inc v Intercen Ltd [1978] RPC 501 cited Nationwide News Pty Ltd v Copyright Agency Ltd (1996) 65 FCR 399 cited Perfect 10 Inc v Google Inc 416 F.Supp.2d 828 (C.D.Cal 2006) referred to Performing Right Society v Ciryl Theatrical Syndicate [1924] 1 KB 1 cited Root Quality Pty Ltd v Root Control Technologies Pty Ltd (2000) 177 ALR 231 followed Sydneywide Distributors Pty Ltd v Red Bull Australia Pty Ltd [2002] FCAFC 157 referred to The University of New South Wales v Moorehouse (1975) 133 CLR 1 discussed Thompson v Australia Capital Television Pty Ltd (1996) 186 CLR 574 cited Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd v Cooper (2005) 150 FCR 1 referred to Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd v Cooper [2005] FCA 1878 referred to Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd v Sharman License Holdings Ltd [2005] FCA 1242 cited WEA International Inc v Hanimex Corporation Ltd (1987) 17 FCR 274 discussed STEPHEN COOPER v UNIVERSAL MUSIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD NSD 61 OF 2006 E-TALK COMMUNICATIONS PTY LIMITED v UNIVERSAL MUSIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD NSD 150 OF 2006 CHRIS TAKOUSHIS v UNIVERSAL MUSIC AUSTRALIA PTY LTD NSD 160 OF 2006