Dura-Post (Aust) Pty Ltd v Delnorth Pty Ltd [2009] FCAFC 81

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Dura-Post (Aust) Pty Ltd v Delnorth Pty Ltd [2009] FCAFC 81

PATENTS – innovation patents for roadside post – novelty – whether invention as claimed novel in light of prior art – reverse infringement test applied – no error shown in primary judge's novelty finding PATENTS – manner of manufacture – whether the invention as claimed disclosed a manner of manufacture within the meaning of section 6 of the Statute of Monopolies – no error shown in primary judge's ruling that manner of manufacture disclosed PATENTS – innovative step – proper approach to the construction of ss 18(1A) and 7(4) of the Patents Act 1990 (Cth) – whether "invention", as used in s 7(4), refers to "advance in the art" as identified by reference to common general knowledge – innovative step requires the "invention", mentioned in s 7(4), to be compared on a claim by claim basis with the information that s 7(5) describes – comparison to be made from perspective of person skilled in the art – identification of variations between the invention as claimed in each claim and each prior disclosure – determination of whether variations make a substantial contribution to the invention as claimed – no error shown in primary judge's findings as to innovative step Patents Act 1990 (Cth) ss 7, 13, 18(1A), 40, 52, 62, 67, 68, 79B, 120(1A), 138 Patents Amendment (Innovation Patents) Act 2000 (Cth) Patents Regulations 1991 (Cth) reg 6A.1 Welch Perrin & Co Pty Ltd v Worrel (1961) 106 CLR 588 referred to Décor Corporation Pty Ltd v Dart Industries Inc (1988) 13 IPR 385 referred to Kimberly-Clark Australia Pty Ltd v Arico Trading International Pty Ltd (2001) 207 CLR 1 referred to Advanced Building Systems Pty Ltd v Ramset Fasteners (Aust) Pty Ltd (1998) 194 CLR 171 cited Meyers Taylor Pty Ltd v Vicarr Industries Ltd (1977) 137 CLR 228 referred to Kinabalu Investments Pty Ltd v Barron & Rawson Pty Ltd [2008] FCAFC 178 referred to Flexible Steel Lacing Co v Beltreco Ltd [2000] FCA 890; (2000) 49 IPR 331 cited Fresenius Medical Care Australia Pty Ltd v Gambro Pty Ltd (2005) 67 IPR 230 cited Commissioner of Patents v Microcell Ltd (1959) 102 CLR 232 referred to N V Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken v Mirabella International Pty Ltd (1995) 183 CLR 655 referred to Lockwood Security Products Pty Ltd v Doric Products Pty Ltd (No 2) (2007) 235 ALR 202 referred to Merck & Co Inc v Arrow Pharmaceuticals Ltd (2006) 154 FCR 31 referred to Morgan & Co v Windover & Co (1890) 7 RPC 131 cited Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co v Beiersdorf (Australia) Ltd (1980) 144 CLR 253 referred to Polwood Pty Ltd v Foxworth Pty Ltd (2008) 75 IPR 1 cited Griffin v Isaacs (1938) 1B IPR 619; 12 ALJ 169 discussed Branir Pty Ltd v Owston Nominees (No 2) Pty Ltd (2001) 117 FCR 424 cited DURA-POST (AUST) PTY LTD ACN 101 287 512 v DELNORTH PTY LTD ACN 051 954 977