Vawdrey Australia Pty Ltd v Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd [2009] FCAFC 156

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Vawdrey Australia Pty Ltd v Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd [2009] FCAFC 156

COPYRIGHT – infringement – whether causal connection established between form of copyright drawings and form of putative infringing work – indirect copying – indirect access – absence of explanation by author of putative infringing work of similarities – onus to explain – three-dimensional reproduction – evidence of reproduction – whether manufacture of three-dimensional object constituted infringement of two-dimensional work – whether reproduction of substantial part

DAMAGES – innocent infringement defence – whether there were reasonable grounds for suspecting copyright infringement

COSTS –entitlement to indemnity costs following refusal of offer of compromise – "Calderbank offer"

Held – appeal dismissed

Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) ss 14(1), 21(3), 21 (4), 31(1), 115 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 24(1)(a), 27 Federal Court Rules O 23 r 2, r 11

Ancher, Mortlock, Murray & Woolley Pty Limited v Hooker Homes Pty Ltd [1971] 2 NSWLR 278 cited Carla Homes (South) Ltd v Alfred McAlpine East Ltd [1995] FSR 818 cited Chabot v Davies [1936] 3 All ER 221 referred to Eagle Homes Pty Ltd v Austec Homes Pty Ltd (1999) 87 FCR 415 cited Fire Nymph Products Ltd v Jalco Products (WA) Pty Ltd (1983) 47 ALR 355 cited Frank M Winstone (Merchants) Ltd v Plix Products Ltd [1985] 1 NZLR 376 discussed Futuretronics.com.au Pty Limited v Graphix Labels Pty Ltd (No 2) [2008] FCA 746 cited House of Spring Gardens Ltd v Point Blank Ltd [1983] FSR 213 cited IceTV Pty Ltd v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd (2009) 254 ALR 386 referred to King Features Syndicate Inc v O & M Kleeman [1941] AC 417 referred to Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd v Glen Cameron Storage & Distribution Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 803 cited Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd v Glen Cameron Storage & Distribution Pty Ltd (No 2) [2009] FCA 1493 cited Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd v Glen Cameron Storage & Distribution Pty Ltd (No 3) [2008] FCA 1592 cited LED Builders Pty Ltd v Eagle Homes Pty Ltd (1996) 35 IPR 215 cited Lend Lease Homes Pty Ltd v Warrigal Homes Pty Ltd [1970] 3 NSWR 265 referred to Metricon Homes Pty Ltd v Barrett Property Group Pty Ltd (2008) 248 ALR 364 followed Pacific Gaming Pty Ltd v Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd (2001) 116 FCR 448 followed Port Kembla Coal Terminal Ltd v Braverus Maritime Inc (No 2) (2004) 212 ALR 281 cited Solar Thomson Engineering Co Ltd v Barton [1977]RPC 537 cited S W Hart & Co Pty Ltd v Edwards Hot Water Systems (1985) 159 CLR 466 referred to Ultra Marketing (UK) Ltd v Universal Components Ltd [2004] EWHC 468 cited VAWDREY AUSTRALIA PTY LTD v KRUEGER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT PTY LTD