CATCHWORDS Trade Practices - Interim injunction - Conduct alleged to be misleading and deceptive - Principles applicable to interim injunctions. 'Trade Practices Act 1974, ss.52, 53(c) and 80(2). World Series Cricket Ptv. Limited v. Robert James Parish No. G72 of1977 CORAM: Boven C.J., Franki and Brennan JJ. Sydney, 2nd November, 1977 IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA NEW SCULH VaLhs DISTRICT REGISTRY ) No. G72 of 1977 GENERAL Divislon ON APPEAL FROM A SINGLE JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL COURT GH AUSTRALIA IN THE MATTER OF THE TRACE PRACTICES ACT O77; BETWEEN: WORLD SERIES CRICKET PTY. LIMTTED Appellant (Respondent) AWD: ROBERT JAMES PARISH Respondent (Applicant) CORAM; Bowen C.Jd., Franki and Brennan JJ. 2nd November, 1977. JUDGHENT BOWEN C.J.: This is an appeal from the decision and orders of a single Judge of this Cow't granting an interin injunction. The proceedings were comnenced by Mr. Robert Janes Parish. He obtained an order nisi callang upon World Series Cricket Pty. Limited to show cause why certain injunctions set forth in five numbered paragraphs shovid not be granted against it. On the retura of the order, which was fixed for the next day, the matter was dealt with by -Ehe Judge below on an interlocutory basis. The background facts are not in dispute. Iir. Parish is the Chairman of the Australian Cricket Board. ine) ! which is an administrative body that for many years has included amongst its functions the organisation of representative cricket matches between Australia and other countries. These matches are known as test matches and the cricket pleyed in those matches is known as test cricket. The Avstraliaa Cricket Board appoints selectors to select cricketers to represent Australia. The Board is a member of the International Cricket Conference which is an association whose members are the governing boards of various cricketing countries. International cricket 1s generally controlled by the Internationil Cricket Conference, but when Australia plays a series of test matches with another country, that test series is organised by the Australian Cricket Board and the cricketing administrative body of the other country concerned, Thus, for many years, when test cricket has been played in Australia, the only Australian body concerned in the organisation of those cricket matches has been the Australian Cricket Board. Although Mr. Parish is the Chairman of the Australian Cricket Board, he did not commence the action in a representative capacity for the Board, but brought the proceedings personally. It was common ground that the appellant is a company which is organising a series of cricket matches to be played in Australia in the coming cricket season, some of which will be knowm as "Super Tests". The appellant, 1tt appears, has entered into contractual arrangements with a number of cricketers who formerly represented their countries in test cricket. These arrangements provide that those cricketers will participate in the series of cricket matches organised by the appellant. The appellant's proposals first became publicly known on 14th May 1977 and since then, there has been widespread publicity about the proposed "Super Tests". Those matches will be played between teams that will include teams made up of Australian cricketers which will be called Australia or fustraliats team, and West Indian cricketers who will form a team known as West Indies, or The Vest Indies team. On or about the 21st September 1977 there fas published in a megazine known as the Australian Vomen's Weekly a colovred brochure prepared by the appellant. The issue actually bore the date 28th September 1977. It was on this brochure that Mr. Perish based part of his complaint. The brochure 1s in evidence as Exhibit npn, It contains statements about the proposed Super Test series, photographs of cricketers who will be participating in the series. a schedule of the dates of the matches, and an order form by which tickets to the matches may be obtained. The photographs include photographs of players wearing cricket caps which bear the insignia of the countries for whom they played test cricket. The brochure includes the following statements: "On November 20 this year, the best of the world's professional cricketers arrive in Melbourne to join Australiats top players in a summer—-long series of the most exciting professional cricket matches ever seen in Australia". "World Series Cricket has contracted the world's top cricketers to participate 1n this summer's Super Test series. They anclude such players as ... Australra?s record-breaking wicket keeper Rod Marsh ... The great Dennis Lillee ... back in action in the Super Tests to strengthen the Australian team", "Australia: Undoubtedly a much stronger team than that vhich played in England". "West Indies: The brillient West Indies squad, including ..." "The world: This team willbe made up of the best players from the West Indies team plus ... (here are listed a number of English, Pakistani and South African cricketers) ... who have not been seen under Test Match conditions in Austral2a for some time", Prominent on the brochure are the words "World Series Cricket", and a logo of the appellant bearing the words "World Series Cricket". Emphasis is placed in the brochure on the ability of the cricketers concerned and the expectéd high standard of the cricket matches, the prize money being offered to the winning teams, and the coaching clinics which the cricketers will give. It is also emphasised that the Super Tests will be played over five days, and that all matches will be played under accepted International Cricket Laws and Standards. There was evidence that the magazine in which the brochure was published, the Australian Vomen's Weekly, is read by approximately 45% of women in Austrelia over the age of sixteen, and by approximately 41,000,000 men and that the magezine hes a circulation which exceed: 800,000. The proceedings vere brought by Mr. Parish pursuant to s.80 of the Trade Practices Act 1974. He sought anjgunctions restraining World Ser1es Cricket Pty. Limited from engaging in conduct which was alleged to contravene ss.52 and 52(c) of the Act. Section 52 provides that a corporation shall not, in trade or commerce, engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or which is likely to mislead or deceive. Seclion 53(c) provides, so far as is relevant, that a corporation shall not, in trade or commerce, in connection with the promotion by any means of the supply of services, represent thiv services have sponsorship or approval they do not have. The main complaint made on behalf of Mr. Parish before the learned Judge below, appears to have been that the brochure (Exhibit "B") was misleading and deceptive in that it might mislead a reader into thinking that the series of cricket matches being orgautecd py World Series Cricket Pty. Limited were organised by the Australian Cricket Board. Before this Court the complaint was expanded. It vas submitted that the vord "Test", the emblems and motifs showm on the players' outfits, the descriptions of the 'competing teams by reference to nations or countries, the reference to the traditional laws of cricket, were intended to and did evoke 9 response in the recipient of the publication that reference was being made to something which, 1n the minds of the public, had only had one character for the last fifty years; in other words, it was to the tradition of test cricket that the appeal was made. The learned Judge held that the brochure would mislead a significant section of the public into whose hands it came, anto believing that "Super Tests" were tests organized by the Australian Cricket Board. During the course of the hearing below, the appellant informed the Court that it had prepared a number of television advertisements which 17 had arranged to be shown on television in Sydney and Melbourne. The learned Judge found that one of these advertisements would be likely to contravene s.52 because it used the words "Super Tests" on three occasions, on one of which the context suggested an identification with test matches as prev.ously organised. His Honour ordered that World Series Cricket Pty. Limited be restrained from engaging in the folloving conduct:-— 1, Any conduct that is misleading or deceptive or is likely to mislead or deceive. 2. Publishing*tor causing to be published any further advertasemenl in the form of the advertisement being exhibit EFG 7 to the affidavit of Edward Furnival Griffin sworn 22nd September, 1977 and filed herein. 3. Representing expressly or by implication that any cricket matches organised by it have the sponsorship or approval of or any affiliation with the Australian Cricket Board or the International Cricket Conference. 4. Referring 1n such a way as to be misleading or deceptive to any cricket matches organised by it as "Tests" or "Test Serles" or "Super Tests". 5. Referring to any teams of cricket players in cricket motches organised by it as "Tho Australian Team" or ""hustral.ra" or any similar expression in such a way as to mislead or deceive." The application before the learned Judge below for an interim ingunction was based upon s.80(2) of the Act. That section provides:-— a "(2) Where in the opinion of the Court is*is desirable to do so, the Court may grant an interim angunction pending determination of an application under sub-section (1)". Section 80(1) empowers the Court, on the application of, inter alia, "any other person", to grant an injunction restraining a person from engaging in conduct that constitutes or would constitute a contravention of ss.52 or 53(c). The Court may grant the interim tnjunction whether or not it appears that the person to be restrained intends to engage again, or to continue to engage, in such conduct (s.80(4)). Where an injunction is sought by the Minister or the Commission, an undertaking as to damages cannot be required of them as a condition for the granting of an interim injunction (s.80(6)). The appellant submitted that the learned Judge below misapprehended his function on an application for an interin injunction, in that he found as a fact on the evidence before him that the appellant's advertisement would be likely to mislead or deceive, and grounded the injunctive relief solely on that finding. The Court 1s given jurisdiction to grant an interim injunction under s.80(2) vhere, 1n 2ts opinion, "it is ' desirable Eo do so". These words confer a judicial discretion of the widest kind upon the Court. It is not an arbitrary discretion but one to be exercised judicially in accordance with principle. The principles concerning the grant of interlocutory injunctions were developed in the Court of Chancery, but have been moulded to what is appropriate for different jurisdictions in which interlocutory relief may be obtained. Whether or not the jurisdiction being exercised is equitable, it is inherent in the nature of en epplication for interlocutury relief that the evidence upon which the application must be determined will be incomplete and unsatisfactory for the purpose of making a final finding. In Beecham Group Limited v. Bristol Lebormt-1>- Pty. Limsted (1968) 118 C.L.R. 618, the Full Court of the Hugh Court granted an interlocutory injunction pursuant to its statutory jurisdiction under s.31 of the Judiciary Act 1903, to make such orders in the cause before 1t as were just. The High Court was seized of the matter under the Patents Act 1952, and was not exercising any inherent equitable jurisdiction. Nevertheless, it invoked principles developed in equity to determine how it should exercise its statutory jurisdiction, though in some ways departing from those principles, where the special nature of the patent jurisdiction made it appropriate to do so. The High Covrt expressed the view thet in all cases, including patent cases, a court, when contemplating granting or refusing interlocutory relief, must direct itself to both the prima facie strength of the plaitiit's claim and the balance of convenience. A plaintiff 1s required to make out a prima facie case, "in the sense that if the evidence remains as it ls, there is a probability that at the trial of the action, the plaintiff will be held entitled to relief". (Ipia. p.622). The strength of the case which the plaintiff must make out will depend upon the nature of the right which he is seeking to assert, and the consequences which w211 flow from the making of the interlocut:: order. However, where the facts are seriously in dispute, the court will not undertake a preliminary trial of the action in order to forecast a probable result, but rather, if the plaintiff has a fair chance of success (and what will be required will vary according to the nature of the case), the court will proceed to look to the balance of convenience. It has recently been said by the House of Lords in American Cyanamid v. Ethicon Limited (1975) A.C. 396 that if the court is satisfied that there 1s a serious question to be tried, it should not further test the strength of the pleintiff's case before deciding the balance of convenience. It may be that in a case such as the present there is no essential aiffereace between the views of the Iligh Court and of the House of Lords as to the strength of the case which the applicant must make out. Whether it is necessary to establish a prima facie case in the Beecham sense, or a serious question to be tried in the American Cyanamid sense, what will. be required will vary from case to case. If there is a divergence in approach, it would 'be proper for this Court to follow the gudgment of the High Courc in Beecham Group Limited v. Bristol Laboratories Pty. Limited. (See Ashburt: | O12 N.L. v. Alpha Mincorals N.L. (1971) 123 C.L.R. 614 at pp.627 and 641; Firth Industries Limited & Ors. v. Polyglas Engineering Pty. Limited (1975) 132 C.L.R. 489; Fortuns a Holdings Pty. Limited v. Deputy Federal Commissioner of Teration nd eae (1976) 76 A.T.C. 4312 at p.4336; Winthrop Investments Limited v. Winns Ltd. (1975) 2 N.S.W.L.R. 666 at 673, 708. cf. Hoffmanv-La Roche & Co. A.G. & Ors. v. Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1975) A.C. 295, per Lord Daplock at 360-361). Proceedings under the Trade Practices Act have e special character in that the Act deals with the protection of the public interest, and in the instant case, with the protection of consumers. In the course of protecting that mrblic interest, the Act also enables a party to seek relief from Injury to his owm interests. An applicant for an injunction under s,.&0 need not show that a proprietary interest of his is arfectcd, or that he has suffered special damage, or indeed, that he personally has suffered any damage at all. Even where the application is prought by a rival competitor seeking redress of damage to his business caused by the allegedly unfair and illegal practices of the respondent, the application, thovgh it vindicates or protects the private interests of the competitor, at the same time secures the public interest of consumer protection. Though, for example, the complaint under Part V of the Act 1n some cases closely resembles an action for passing off or trade 1.bel, it is nevertheless an action to protect Lhe consuming public from being misled or misinformed. For competition between rival traders properly to be promoted, it is necessary that the relevant market 1s kept adequately informed about the goods c: services available for purchase, and is not misled by deceptive trade practices. These factors, however, although important in determining what considerations should be taken into account when assessing the strength of the applicant's case and when weighing the balance of convenience, do nob require that the balance of convenience should be ignored or that a party's I entitlement to anterlocutory relief should depend on an assessment ' of facts made from unsatisfactory evidence. The reasons which militate against such a course apply with equal force to proceedings under the Trade Practices Act as they do elsewhere. That is not to say thet there are not special factors to be taken into account when exercising jurisdiction under the Trade Practices Act. Special considerations with respect to interlocutory injunctions ply in other fields including' common law injunctions to restrain defamation, injunctions to restrain breach of a patent and injunctions to restrain breach of copyright. In the same way special considerations will arise ' under the Trade Practices Act, and the Court will not necessarily apply all of the principles which a court of equity would apply in a suit where only individual interests of private litigants were in issue. In has reasons for judgment the learned Judge below stated certain findings of fact. These were not expressed to be findings of fact sufficient to establish that the epplicant had such a possibility of success on the final hearing that 1t wovld justify the Court in granting an interlocutory injunction if, on the balance of convenience, it was appropriate to do so. Thus his Honour found that the brochure inserted in the Australian Women's Weekly magazine "would 'mislead a significant section of the public into whose hands it came into this error that 'Super Tests? were tests organised by the Australian Cricket Board." His Honour found an advertisement for television which used the words "Super Tests" on one occasion in a context suggesting identification with Test Matches as previously organised was "...probably likely to mislead because of such identification". As to the remaining advertisements, his Honour found that "...on the present state of the evidence I am not satisfied that people will be misled or deceived.". These findings were attacked by the appellant as being final findings of fact, and the respondent did not Gispute that that was the case. It was also assumed by both parties to the appeal that the Judge below had not considered where the balance of convenience lay. These assumptions might not be entirely accurate. His Honour did on more than one occasion qualify his findings as being made "on the present state of the evidence", and although his Honour did not refer to the balance of convenience by using that phrase, he did pear in mind, "...that there appear to be alternative expressions which would seem to be sdequate to describe tSuper Tests and it would appear also that to emphasise ta the difference between 'Super Tests* and tests erranged py the Australian Cricket Board would present no difficulty". That observation would seem to be relevant only on the balance of convenience. However, on the whole, I am of opinion that his Honour did fall into error in discharging his task 1n that he did not direct his mind to finding whether a prima facie case had been made out nor to the question whether, if it had, the balance of convenience required the grant of injunctive relief. Furthermore, I am of opinion the orders made were 1n some respects, to which I refer later, open to objection. In the circumstances I think the Court should intervene and come to its own conclusions. Mr. Parish specifically complained of the brochure which is Exhibit "B", and of the television advertisements. _ His complaint also related generally to the use of the words "Tests" or "Test series" or "Super Tests" and the reference to "Australian team" or "Australia" in association with a cricket team, where used in the brochure or elsewhere including television advertisements. . It 1s suggested that persons reading or seeing the material referred to might wrongly come to the conelusion that the matches being publicised by the appellant were organised or had the approval of the Australian Cricket Board or the International Cricket Conference, or were organised or had the approval of those 1n authority in Australia who had hitherto controlled cricket. Counsel for Mir. Parish also argued that there was a possibility or error in that a person reading this material might wrongly conclude that matches being conducted by the appellant were the last in a descending traditional series of international games and in some way had the same quality. This last argument is somewhat elusive and may perhaps be said to depend upon giving to the word "test" a secondary meaning which would not be met by the matches conducted by the appellant and which does not necessarily involve any knowledge as to who are the authorities controlling cricket in Australia. For the appellant, World Series Cricket Pty. Limited, it was argued that anyone sufficiently knowledgeable about cricket to come to the conclusion that the matches were being organised or approved by the Australian Cricket Board or the International Cricket Conference or the authorities controlling cricket in Australia, would inevitably be aware of the greatly publicised conflict between the appellant and those authorities 1n relation to the staging of these matches. However, a person may have.some acquaintance with established test cricket without knowing by whom that cricket is organised, and if he is misled into believing that World Series cricket is of the same nature as test cricket, he may conclude that it is organised by whatever body organises test cricket. Advertisements or publications that mislead persons into that error would contravene s.52. In the same way it is sufficient in a suit for passing off that the public associate the defendant's goods as being of the same manufacture as those of the plaintiff because of their similar get-up and appearance, without knowing the identity of the manufacturer. It is to be remembered that the advertisements are designed to meet a very wide audience which will include people possessing the widest possible range of knowledge or lack of knowledge about cricket and previous association or lack of association with it. At the interlocutory stage, it is, I think, inadvisable to express detailed or concluded views on the evidence relating to the issues in dispute. Briefly, I am of opinion that a prima facie case in the Beecham sense has been established by Mr. Parish for some form of interlocutory relief in relation to the use of the words "Tests" or "Test Series" or "Super Tests". The word "Test" is a word which commonly refers to established test cricket. It is not uncommon for that word to be qualified py an adjective, as in the expression "Centenary Test". I am also of opinion that a prima facie case has been established for interlocutory relief of a limited kind in relation to the use of the words "the Australian team" or "Australia". These are ordinary words in the English language. Any attempt to acquire a monopoly in their use should be discouraged. However, I think a prima facie case has been made for restraining their use in relation to matches organised by the appellant between Australian and West Indian players. Such matches were advertised in the brochure (Exhibit "B") as "Australia v. West Indies". The appellant gave an assurance Eo the Court that it had no intention of publishing or causing to be published any further advertisement in the form of the brochure, Exhibit "B", - Although the Court may grant an interim injunction whether or not the person intends to engage in conduct of the kind sought to be prohibited, (s.80(4)), nevertheless, in the circumstances, I would be content to allow matters to rest on the appellant's assurance pending the hearing. I would, in any event, propose to reserve liberty to apply. In relation to the matters on which Mr. Parish has made out a prima facie case, the question arises whether, on the balance of convenience, injunctive relief should be granted. For the appellant it was submitted that the respondent was guilty of laches which was a discretionary- factor which the Court ought to take into account in weighing the balance of convenience so as to disentitle the respondent to relief. It is not an easy matter to t determine the relevance of a defence of laches to an application for an interim injunction under the Act. If the application was fcr a . final injunction, it would usually be the case that laches in the sense of mere delay (if mere delay can constitute laches), or delay sufficient to constitute in equity an equitable release or abandonment of the claim, would rarely disentitle an applicant to relief under s.80. Even where the laches consists of delay which has led the respondent to alter his position to his detriment in reliance on the non-enforcement of the Act, the applicant will not automatically be precluded from the injunction he seeks. Because of the public interest involved, the Court will be slower to withhold relief than would an equity court in a suit involving only individual interests. As was said by the Privy Council in Associated Minerals Consolidated Limited v. Wyong Shire Council (1974) 29 L.G.R.A. 323 at p.334:- "The injury to a public interest by denial of relief, its extent and degree of irremeciability, must be weighed against any loss which the defendant may have sustained by the plaintiff standing by while the Gefendant incurs expense or, if such is the case, misleading the defendant anto thinking that its activities were or wovld be permitted", Thus the effect of laches will differ from case to case and will depend on factors which will include the identity of the applicant and the nature of his claim, the nature of the delay and of the prejudice it caused to the respondent, and the nature of the public interest in question. Where the application is for an interim injunction, the Court will no doubt be prepared to give a greater degree of weight to a defence of laches, especially if the delay has caused the respondent to alter his position to his detriment. This, however, will always depend on the circumstances of the particular case and the degree of public interest involved. Of course in equity, as an applicant for an interlocutory injunction seeks urgent relief, the application must be brought promptly and mere delay can bar lhe applicant's claim. This case however is brought solely for the protection of the public interest. Even if the evidence were such that a case of laches could be made against Mr. Parish, that circumstance would not weigh heavily in considering the desirability of granting the ingunction. In fact, however, it is the concatenation of symbols, names and photographs in the brochure Exhibit "B" and in the television advertisements which Mr. Parish complains has a tendency to mislead or deceive. Although it waswell ' publicised months before the application was brought that fir. Packer Ne or J.P. Sport Pty. Limited (now World Series Cricket Pty. Limited would be staging a series of "Super Tests" in which an "Australian team" would be competing, nevertheless I am satisfied that the respondent moved promptly on the first material that might contravene ss.52 and 53(c). On the balance of convenience it ought to be noticed that Mr. Parish does not allege that he ought not to have been required to furnish an undertaking as to damages. Nor did the appellant attack the value of that undertaking on the ground that Mr. Parish 1s a private citizen appearing in his personal capacity about whose means to satisfy the undertaking there appears to be no evidence. The appellant did attack the undertaking on the ground that the terms in which the orders were made rendered it impossible to enforce the undertaking. As the court considers that the orders require amendment in any event, it is not necessary to deal further with that submission, When looking to the balance of convenience , wa where there is a prima facie case made out by the applicant that the consumer protection provisions of the Act have been contravened, it is necessary to look, on the one hand, to the possible damage to consumers that would flow from a refusal of the interlocutory injunction, and on the other, to the damage that would flow to the advertiser if the injunction is granted but not made perpetual at the final hearing. This is a far more difficult task than weighing two private interests against each other. Before the learned Judge below, the appellant adduced evidence that it had made arrangements for obtaining time for advertising its series on television, and that a programe of advertising had been planned for the available time slots. , The trial Judge did not deal with this evidence, perhaps because he considered that it was not necessary to consider the balance of convenience. Accepting that evidence, it appears that the appellant will have suffered some injury which cannot be adequately compensated by the undertaking for damages, if at the final hearing, the injunctions are refused. On the other hand, if the conduct is found to contravene ss.52 or 53{c), the damage to the public caused by the refusal of the interim relief would be impossible to calculate or redress. Although the appellant has made arrangements for advertising on television, it would seem that it could substitute for any advertisement which has been prepared which might infringe the order of the Court, advertisements which do make any necessary distinction between the material advertised and the cricket matches organised by or sponsored or approved by the Australian Cricket Board. That is, the loss caused to the appellant if the interim injunction is not made perpetual upon the final determination of the matter, though it may not be adequately compensated for by the undertaking as to damarces. will not be wholly irreparable. Further, unless there is something which tilts the balance of convenience in favour of the appellant, it is usually proper to maintain the status quo, in this case, by enjoining the appellant from commencing this new course of conduct that is alleged to be a breach of ss.52 and 53(c). The appellant submitted that if the case was a proper one for injunctive relief, the orders made below should not be allowed to stand without amendment. I propose the substitution of new orders for those made below and do not find it necessary to deal in any detail with the criticisms made in relation to those orders. It should be mentioned however, that one of the orders made restrained conduct that was misleading or deceptive and another two restrained the use of certain expressions "in such a way as to be misleading or deceptive" or "in such a way as to mislead or deceive". In my view, it is often undesirable to frame interlocutory orders in such a way as to raise the very ' zssuves that will fall to be decided at the 'hearing. Jf the conduct is again called in question, it w21l usually not be possible to determine, on a contempt application, whether or not the interlocutory order has been infringed (Australian Consolidated Press Limited v. Morgan & Anor. (7965) 112 C.L.R. 483). By leaving that question to the final hearing, there will be a failure to meet the need for urgent relief, and the party enjoined will, on the final hearing, be put at risk not only of a final injunction but also of being in contempt. That is not a purpose which an interlocutory order 1s meant to serve. I propose that the orders made by his Honour be set aside. Subject to an appropriate undertaking as to damages being given by Mr. Parish, I propose that an interim injunction be granted pending the determination of this matter or further order restraining World Series Cricket Pty. Limited from engaging in the following conduct in trade or commerce — Referring to cricket matches organised by it as Tests or a Test Series or Super Tests without clearly distinguishing those matches from the matches controlled wholly or in part by the Australian Cricket Board or the International Cricket Conference. Referring to any team of cricket players in cricket matches organised by it between Australianand West Indian players as the Australian team or as Australia without clearly Gistinguishing that team from any team selected or controlled by the Australian Cricket Board. I propose that the costs of the proceedings below and of this appeal be costs in the cause. I propose thst Liberty be reserved to either party to apply on two days notice. \ I certify thal teasand the 21 preceding parcs © 2a true copy of the Reasons for Jvedgment herein or his Ilonour the Chie? Jucge, Zir Nigel Bowen Associate Dated: Per& — Novivaleer , 1477, IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA ) ) HEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY ) No G~72 of 1977 ) GENERAL DIVISION ) ON APPEAL FROM A SINGLE JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA IN THE MATTER of TIE TRADE PRACTICE ACT, 1974 a cy Between: WORLD SERIES CRICKET PTY. LIMITED Appellant (Respondent) And ROBERT JAMES PARTSH Respondent (Applicant) REASONS FOR JUDGMENT FRANKI J.: This is an appeal by World Series Cricket Pty. Ltd. (the appellant) against an interim injunction granted by a single Judge of this court on the application of Mr. Robert James Parish, the respondent herein. Mr. Parish is the chairman of the Australian Cricket Board but the proceedings were brought on his own behalf and not on behalf of the Board. The appellant is a company organised to promote international cricket matches, the first of which are to take place during the forthcoming cricket season in Australia. Since this appeal is in relation to interlocutory proceedings I do not propose to deal in great detail with the evidence. It appears that the first announcement in the press that the appellant was promoting international cricket appeared early in May 1977 and there was a considerable amount of publicity in the media directed to the matter of disputes, or likely disputes,bectween the appellant and those previously conducting international cricket and to the position of players who might wish to participate, not only in the games -2- promoted by the appellant, but also in games arranged hy those who had previously arranged international cricket. The learned Judge made the following orders:- "THE COURT ORDERS THAT: the respondent company be restrained from engaging in the following conduct:- 1. Any conduct that is misleading or deceptive or is likely to mislead or deceive. 5 2. Publishing or causing to be published any further advertisement in the form of the advertisement being exhibit "B". 3. Representing expressly or by implication that any cricket matches organised by it have the sponsorship or approval of or any affiliation with the Australian Cricket Board or the International Cricket Conference. 4. Referring in such a way as to be misleading or deceptive "to any cricket matches organised by it as "Tests" or "Test Series" or "Super Tests". 5. Referring to any teams of cricket players in cricket matches organised by it as "The Australian Team" or "Australia" or any similar expression in such a way as to mislead or deceive." . It was cenceded that the failure to limit the orders in time was an accidental slip or omission. The appellant based its appeal on three grounds, first, that the learned Judge failed to recognise and apply the principles by which the court should be guided in the exercise of its discretionary power under s. 80(2) of the Trade Practices Act 1974, secondly, the learned Judge made various errors of law and fact and thirdly, that the form of some of the orders made was inappropriate to the circumstances of the case. The proceedings were based on s. 52 and s. 53(c) of the Act and Mr. Parish had sought an interim injunction under the -3- provisions of s.80 of the Act pending the determination of the application for a permanent injunction. Section 80(1)(c) of the Act provides 'that "any other person" may apply for an injunction restraining a person from engaging in . conduct that constitutes or would constitute a contravention of 8.52 or s.53(c). It was common ground that no question arose as to the right of the respondent to commence the proceedings. An advertisement (Exhibit B) by the appellant was published as a four page insert ("the brochure") in a publication "The Australian Women's Weekly" on or about the 21st September 1977. This brochure described the cricket matches to be staged by the appellant as "Super Tests", played under "Test Match conditions", referred to a team of Australian players as "The Australian team" or "Australia" and showed pictures of players in action wearing caps as worn by players playing in the past in test matches for Australia, England or the West Indies. On the 22nd September the respondent obtained an order nisi returnable the next day, and it was in these proceedings that the interim injunction was granted on the 30th September 1977. The appellant attacked the first order in particular upon the ground that it was not restricted to "in trade or commerce", Similar criticism 'is also relevant in considering orders 3, 4, and 5. The appellant also directed particular attention to the following passage in the learned Judge's reasons for judgment: "T am of the view that such brochure would mislead a significant section of the public into whose hands it came into this error that "Super Tests" were tests organised by the Australian Cricket Board."" It was argued that the learned trial Judge had approached . the matter under consideration by making final findings of fact and by not applying the appropriate discretionary considerations. Under s. 80(2) the court may grant an interim injunction were in its opinion it is desirable to do so. ah The principles to be applied where interlocutory injunctions are sought are set out in Beecham Group v. Bristol Laboratories Ply. Ltd. (1968) 118 C.L.R. 618. This case was referred to by Stephen J., in Firth Industries Ltd. v. Polyglass Engineering Pty. Ltd. (1975) 132 C.L.R. 489. I am of the opinion that the principles set out in Beecham Group v. Bristol Laboratories Pty. Ltd., supra, were applicable to the proceedings before the learned Judge and before granting an interim injunction he had to be satisfied that a prima facie case had been made out. It was also submitted by the appellant that the learned Judge had not properly considered the various questions which arise under s. 80(2) and (4). One of the matters relied upon was that there had been some evidence that the brochure was not to be repeated but that the judge, whilst not rejecting this evidence, formed a conclusion not open to him. I do not consider this to be so. Section 80(4) permits the Court if it thinks it desirable to do so, to grant an interim injunction wnether or not it appears to the Court that the person sought to be restrained intends to engage again, or to continue to engage in conduct contrary to s. 52 or s.53{c) and indeed, in the case of an interim injunction s.80(5) permits this whether or not there is an imminent danger of substantial damage to any person. The learned Judge also had before him certain television advertisements which the appellant was considering it might use. I turn now to consider the form of the orders made. Orders 1, 3, 4 and 5 are not limited to conduct in trade or commerce. Because of this, and because His Honour made what appears to be a final finding of fact in relation to the brochure, I consider that the appellant has made out a sufficient case to warrant the intervention of this Court. In performing its task this Court is entitled to exercise the powers conferred on 1t -5- under ss. 27 and 28 of the Federal Court of Australia Act, and the Court should examine the material before the Learned Judge and make such orders as in all the circumstances 1t thinks desirable. I think that the Court, in deciding whether or not a prima facie case has been made out, is required to examine as the major question whether a significant number of the relevant potential purchasers of tickets would be likely to be deceived or misled by an advertisement on television or elsewhere of the respondent into considering that cricket matches called "Tests or "Super Tests" came from the same people as had organised cricket tests in the past, whether or not the relevant potential purchasers knew who had organised these previous cricket matches. . This is so particulerly (1) where the use is associated . with other material likely to point in the same direction, and (2) in the absence of any sufficient distinguishing matter appearing at the same time. It is clear that in the instant case there is no need to show any goodwill or proprietory interest in the applicant for an injunction since the legislation is for the protection of consumers. Because of the findings that I have already made I do not consider that it is necessary in these interlocutory proceedings to have regard to the effect of any advertisements cn persons who ere no more relevant than as viewers of television. I pass now to consider whether a prima facie case has been made out. Without considering the matter as one would if one were making a final order, on the evidence before the learned Judge, I consider that a prima facie case has been made out that the brochure would be likely to-deceive or mislead at least a sufficient number of potential purchasers of tickets. Whilst it may be said that the phrase "Super Tests" had not, at the date -~6- of the advertisement, any positive association with the previous organisers of test matches, 1t does seem that sufficient people would be likely to be misled into thinking that "Super Tests" were ~ matches developed by the organisers of what they had previously known as test matches. In argument before us, the appellant sought to rely on the publicity from which, it alleged, all relevant potential customers would have learnt that there was no connection between those organising "Super Tests" and those who had in the past organised tests. I think that so far as concerns '° a prima facie case, it is likely that a sufficient section of the potential purchasers of tickets would not draw this distanctio and would be likely to be misled or 2eceived. Only this year the Australian public has been exposed to a cricket event called the "Centenary Test". The words Australia: and Australim team are words of very general import but I consider that a prima facie case has been made ovt in the case of a match organised by the appellant, ° and referred to as being between Australia and the West Indies, for requiring the team described as the Australian Team or fustralia, to be clearly distinguished from a team selected or controlled by the Australian Cricket Board. It is necessary to consider such matches because it is clear from what appears in the brochure and elsewhere in the evidence, that the appellant has organised such matches for the coming cricket season. I do not consider it necessary to have regard to the position of matches between an Australian team and a team of players from any other country because none are planned by the appellant for the coming cricket season. Matches between a team of Australian players and players representing "The World" are in a different category because I am not satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that any such matches would be associated -f- with matches in which the team of Australian players were selected or controlled by the Australian Cricket Board. I pass now to consider the ques Lion of whal relief, if any, should be granted. It was put to us that on the balance of convenience relief should not be granted because of its effect on the advertising of the appellant. In my opinion, no interim injunction appropriately framed would affect the legitimate advertising of the appellant reasonably describing in a fair manner the activities in which 1t proposed to engage. Considerable argument took place before us on the question - of whether or not the doctrine of laches applied to interin relief in respect of applications under s.80 based on conduct to which s.52 or s.53(c) applied. Matters which would support a defence of laches seem appropriate for examination in deciding whether it is desirable to grant an interim injunction, but I do not consider that since the function of this legislation 1s the protection of consumers, one should necessarily give effect to the defence unless it is clearly appropriate to do so. Section 80(1)(c) permits a wide variety of people to take proceedings and it is difficult to apply the same principles as one applies in private litigation, where one party has changed his position because of the conduct of the other party. These proceedings have a measure of urgency and are in a comparatively new field of law in Australia and I do not think it appropriate in this judgment to say more than is necessary. I consider that it is sufficient to say that in the matter before us I do not consider that, on the evidence, any conduct of Mr. Parish or lack of action by him in failing to seek relief earlier or otherwise, affords a defence to the appellant in this interlocutory application. It is relevant to note that the brochure was the first advertisement made by the appellant for the purpose of -8- 1 reaching members of the genera] public. I now pass to consider the appropriate form of orders. The applicant assured the Court that the advertisement in the form of Exhibit "B" would not be repeated and I would accept this assurance. I do not think Order 5 is appropriate because I consider that, on the material before the Court, the words "...have the sponsorship or approval or any affiliation with the Australian Cricket Board or the International Cricket Conference" are inappropriate to describe the relationship between previously known cricket test matches and the Australian Cricket Board or the International Cricket Conference and, in any event, such order 3 is too uncertain to be desirable. Without wishing to lay down any principles, I consider that it is wndesirable in this case to grant an order based on s.53(c), since an order based on s.52 1s adequate. i propose that the orders made by His Honour be set aside and thal, subject to an appropriate undertaking as to damages being given by Mr. Parish, an interim injunction be granted pendi ne the determination of this matter, or further order restraining World Series Cricket Pty. Limited from engaging in the following conduct in trade or commerce. (1) Referring to cricket matches organised by it as Tests or a Test Series or Super Tests without clearly distinguishing those matches from the matches controlled wholly or in part by the Australian Cricket Board or the International Cricket Conference. (2) Referring to any team of cricket players in cricket matches organised by it between Australian and West Indian players as the Australian team or as Australia without clearly distinguishing the team from any team selected or controlled by the Australian Cricket Board. These follow the usual form of order in a passing off action where the word to be protected 1s one to which the plaintiff has no exclusive right bus which has achieved a secondary meaning to a significant section of the relevant purchasing public (Kerly's, "Law of Trade Marks and Trade Names", loth ed., pages 442-444), I also note that, in general, the words "without clearly distinguishing" have been considered sufficiently precise and that it has been considered undesirable for such an order to go into detail. It has been said that it is certainly not the business of the Court to give a person instructions or hints as to how near the wind he can sail. I would order the costs of the proceedings before the Single Judge and of this appeal be costs in the cause. I would also reserve liberty to either party to apply on two day's notice. I certify that this and the P preceding pages are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgement herein of his Honour Mir. Justice Founky LE her Associate Dated: 2fu fp 1N_THE FRDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY ) No. G-72 of 1977 ) ? GENERAL DIVISION ON APPEAL FROM A SINGLE JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALTA IN THE WATTER OF THE TRADE PRACTICES ACT, 1974 BETWEEN : . WORLD SERIES CRICKET PTY. LINITED Appellant (Respondent) ROBERT JAMES PARISH Respondent (Applicant) JUDGNENT BRENNAN, J.: Wisden's Cricketers' Almanac, described as the cricket bible, contains the revelation that the first Test Match between England and Australia was played in England in 1880. Thereafter, teams representing the two countries pleycd Test Matches from time to time. In 1899, the Almanac assures us, a Single Selection Committee first picked the English Test team, and in 1905 an Australian Board of Control was set up. In 1909 the Impérial Cricket Conference was formed in London and it was constituted by the M.C.C., the Australian Board of Control and the South African Cricket Association. The rule book of the Conference (now known as the International Cricket Conference) notes that Cricket Associations of other countries have become members since 1909, and that South Africa ceased to be a member in 1961. Teams, selected to represent major cricketing countries, have played against each other in matches which have hitherto been controlled by the Internationa? Cricket Council and its members, and the matches so played Lf. have been described as "Tests''". The Oxford dictionary gives two exanples of the use, in 1908, of the word "Tests" to describe cricket matches. In May 1977, a Test Series was being played in England between England and Australia. In that month, an announcement was made that Mr Packer or a company with which he was associated had secured, by contract, the services of some of the world's leading players, and that it was intended to promote a series of matches to be played in Australia in the 1977-78 season. The series, or part of it, was intended to be televised by the Channel 9 network. The more important matches of the series were described in press statements, released in Nay and subsequently, as "Tests" or "Supertests". The Appellant is a company of which lr Packer is a director and is the promoter of the matches. It has adopted a iogo and uses the phrase "World Series Cricket" to aid in its promotion of the matches. It published an advertisement (Exhibit B) for distribution with the issue of The Australian Women's Weekly dated 28th September, 1977 containing photos of some of the players whose services had been secured and some advertising material which was intended to commend the matches to the Australian public who might read the magazine* On 22nd September, 1977 the Respondent obtained an order, calling upon the Appellant to show cause before a single Judge of this Court on the following day, why it should not be restrained from engaging in certain conduct alleged to be in contravention of ss.52 and 53(c) of the Trade Practices Act, 1974, After hearing on 23rd, 26th and 27th September, 1977 an'application for an interlocutory injunction, the learned Judge made an order restraining the Appellant --/3. from engaging 1n the following conduct: h. Any conduct that is misleading or deceptive or is likely to mislead or deceive. 2. Publishing or causing to be published any further advertisement in the form of the advertisement being exhibit "B". 3. Representing expressly or by implication that any crickct matches organised by 1t have the sponsorship or approval or any affiliation with the Australian Cricket Board or the International Cricke Conference. . 4, Referring in such a way as to be misleading or deceptive to any cricket matches organised by 1t as "Tests" or "Test Series" or "Super Tests". 5. Referring to any teams of cricket players in cricket matches organised by it as "The Australian Team" or "Australia" or any similar expression in such a way as to mislead or deceive." It is common ground that the order is intended to be iimited in point of time and, if that intention should not already be clear from the terms of the order as drawn, it should be amended. The Appellant now seeks an order that the order of the learned Judge be set aside. Mr Parish, the applicant for the injunction and the Respondent in this appeal, is the chairman of the Australian Cricket Board, which I assume to be the successor in function of the Australian Board of Control. He does not bring the proceedings on behalf of the Board, although the relief which he seeks would protect the interests of the Board. Proceedings seeking an injunction to secure compliance with the provisions of ss.52 and 53(c) may be instituted by any person under s.80(1)(c), whether or not that person has any rights which might be affected by the conduct to be restrained by the injunction, and whether or not that person might be entitled to damages under s.82 if the conduct should be engaged in. The applicant for the injunction is not required 1/4. by statute to be the owner of property in protection of which the injunction is sought. 8.52(1) provides - " 52.(1) A corporation shall not, in trade or commerce, engage in conduct that 1S misleading or deceptive." . 8.53(c) provides - " 53. A corporation shall not, in trade or commerce, in connexion with the supply or possible supply of goods or services or in connexion with the promotion by any means of the supply or use of goods or services — (a)... (db)... (c) represent that goods or services have sponsorship, approval, performance characteristics, accessories, uses or benefits they do not have;" Although the conduct which is proscribed by ss.52 and 53(c) includes conduct of a kind familiar in passing-off cases, those sections, and ss.80(1)(c) and 82 are not written on a palimpsest on which the tortious principles are perceived to be underlying. The ordinary canons of statutory construction furnish the meaning of these provisions. The conduct which founds a passing-off action may equally found a proceeding for contravention of s.52 or 53(c), and a person whose property rights are injured may thus have a choice of remedy, but that consequence does {not require the statutory provisions to be so construed as to conform with the common law. Nor does it require the statutory remedies to be moulded to accord with the remedies which might have been obtained from a court of equity. The relevant issue in proceedings for contravention of 5.52 or 53(c) is whether the conduct complained of answers the statutory description. When an injunction is sought to restrain a corporation from engaging in conduct of a certain kind, the issue is whether conduct of that kind would answe1 the statutory description if the corporation were to engage in it. The statutory remedy by -way of injunction is in the discretion of the Court - both as to the making of an injunctive order and as to its terms. In exercising its statutory discretion, however, the Court refers to equitable principles if only to ensure that factors which are relevant to the exercise of the discretion are not omitted from consideration. Although the principles of equity do not mark the limits of relevancy or solely determine the exercise of the statutory discretion, they are relevant norms which may provide assistance in larger or smaller measure according to the closeness of the equitable analogue to the case in hand. When an applicant, who might have invoked the auxiliary jurisdiction of equity to protect his property rights, chooses to bring proceedings under the Act and alleges, for example, a contravention of s.53(c), and applies for an injunction under s.80 merely in order to protect those rights, his application may be determined by reference to the same principles as those which would have been applied by a court of cquity. But the equitable analogy 1s inadequate when the applicant neither owns property nor is charged with a duty to enforce compliance with the prohibition. That is the present case. It is éonceded that Mr Parish, though not suing on behalf of the Board, is nevertheless entitled pursuant to s.80(1)(c)} to bring proceedings for an injunction which in fact would protect its interests. In the absence of any property in Mr Parish, and in the absence of any legal duty resting upon him to ensure that the provisions of ss.52 and 53(c) are complied with, how could he secure an injunction from a court of equity? Yet the statute assumes that vhere are factors which might warrant the grant of an injunction ../6. 6. on his application. What is the statutory purpose which may be fulfilled by the granting of an injunction in such a case? The purpose cannot be to prevent the applicant from being misled or deceived, or from being induced to believe an untrue representation, for the applicant is necessarily aware of the quality of the conduct of which he .complains. When ss.52 and 53 prescribe that corporations should not in trade and commerce engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive and should not make false representations, the purpose of the statute is clearly to protect the interests which would be adversely affected if the impugned conduct did mislead or did deceive or did induce belief 1n a falsehood. The interests in question may or may not be proprietary and muy be short-term or long-term. The interests of consumers and, in appropriate cases, of competitors in the market, are interests of the relevant kind. These interests are relevant factors to be weighed in determining whether an injunction should be granted and, if it be granted, its terms. The relevance of the factors is not dependent upon the interests (af any) of the party who invokes the jurisdiction, though the weight to be given to those factors may be. Much depends upon the nature,of the contravening conduct and of the interests affected by that conduct. ° In the present case, Mr Parish, seeking an interlocutory injunction, was constrained to show a prima facie case (in the sense explained by the High Court in Beecham Group Ltd. v. Bristol Laboratories Ltd. (1968) 118 C.L.R. 618 at p. 622) that the conduct in which the Appellant proposed to engage would contravene s.52 or s.53(c) (Ashburton Oj] N.L. v. Alpha Minerals N.L. (1971) 123 C.L.R. 614 at p. 627) and further, that it was desirable to restrain the Appellant from fT. de engaging in that conduct pending-the hearing (s.80(2)). The prima facic case It was incumbent upon Mr Parish to show what was the conduct in which it was likely that, unless restrained, the Appellant would engage and to show prima facie that that conduct would contravene s.52 or s.53(c). There was evidence as to the Appellant's proposed use of the terms "test" and "supertest" to 'refer to some of the matches which it proposed to sponsor. In cross-examination of Mr Parish it was put to him and accepted by him that the Appellant had for months past "proposed to use the words ''tests' and 'supertests' in relation to these contests", that is, the matches (or some of them) to be promoted by the Appellant. UExhibit B and certain television advertising contained evidence tending to show that the Appellant would, unless restrained, advertise some of the cricket matches to be promoted by it as "Super Tests", to describe the conditions under which those matches would be played as "Test Hatch conditions", and to refer to the team composed of Australian players as "Australia's team", or "Australia", and that it would - publish photos of the players wearing .caps of their national teams, and would, describe Clive Lioyd (then captain of the West Indies Test Team) as Captain of a West Indies team to play in a Super Test series. There was no evidence that the Appellant intended otherwise expressly to state that the matches to be promoted by it were sponsored or approved by the Board or by the International Cricket Conference. Indeed, there was considerable evidence which pointed to a notorious dispute hetween those bodies and the Appellant, the former condcining the latter's proposed matches. ./8. 3. Does it appear prima facie that the Appellant's proposed conduct would contravene the relevant statutory provisions? Before a statement can be said to be misleading or deceptive or falsely to represent a fact, it must convey a meaning inconsistent with the truth. A statement which conveys no meaning but the truth cannot mislead or deceive or falsely represent; although a statement which is Literally true may nevertheless convey another meaning which is untrue, and be proscribed accordingly (U.S. v. 95 Barrels etc. of Vinegar 265 U.S. 438 at p. 442). To support the third, fourth and fifth parts of the order made by His Honour (to which I shall refer as though each part were a separate order) it was incumbent on Mr Parish to show a prima facie case that the Appellant would, unless restrained, publish material - (a) representing that some cricket matches organized by it would have the sponsorship or approval of or some affiliation with the Australian Cricket Board or the International Cricket Conference whereas those matches would not have that sponsorship or approval (Order 3); (b) referring to cricket matches organized by it as "Tests" or "Test Series" or "Super Tests" in such a context as to make the reference untrue (Order 4); (c) referring to teams in cricket matches organized by it as "The Australian Team" or "Australia" in such a context as to make the reference untrue (Order 5). I can find no evidence, other than the proposed use of the terms referred to in the fourth and filth orders, 2/9. that the Appellant proposes to publish any material of the kind mentioned in paragraph (a). It is true that Test maiches are organized by the Board and the Conference, but that fact would not necessarily be apprecialed by the aycrage reader or hearer to whom the promotional advertising would be directed. To the cognoscentt who appreciate the connection between Tests and the named controlling bodies, the description of a match as a Test or the description of a team as the Australian team would convey a relationship between that match or team and an official controlling body. The term "test" used in reference to matches organized not by a controlling body but by the Appellant may therefore be said to make a representation in connection with the promotion of those matches which is untrue, and which arguably falls within s.53(c). It is not necessary, in ny judgment, so to decide. If such a meaning were conveyed, it would be conveyed to a class, the overwhelming majority of whor | would know of the dispute between the Appellant, as promoter of the matches, and the controlling bodies. If there were a false representation falling within s.53(c) few, if any, would be deceived by it, and it would not be desirable to make an order to restrain the making of such an alleged representation pending the trial. - The Appellant sought to unset the whole of His Honour's orders by attacking the finding that the "brochure would mislead a Significant section of the public into whose hands it came into this error that 'Super Tests' were tests organized by the Australian Cricket Board". Although this passage 1s expressed as a finding on an issue yet to be litigated at the trial - and ought on that account to be set aside - a successful attack on that passage does not carry —~ apd ..+/10. LU. the consequence desired. There remains the question whether a prima facie case was shown to support the fourth and fifth orders. The answer to this question requires consideration of the connotation of the terms proposed to be used to describe the World Series Cricket matches, for 1f£ 1t be held at the trial that those terms convey to reasonable members of the public to whom the media advertising is addressed a description of the matches or of the teams competing therein which is untrue, Mr Parish will have established his case. A meaning reasonably attributed to a term by members of the public who are not knowledgeable in cricket lore is a meaning which must be tested for its truth (see Federal Trade Commission v. Standard Education Society 302 U.S. 112 at p. 116. On Mr Parish's showing of a prima facie case, the term "Test" describes a cricket match which is distinguished by a number of features which are both unique and related. The unique features are said to include a match which is played between teams which represent their respective countrics, so thai the winner may be identified as the country whose representatives succeeded; a match which is played by teams which are selected to represent their country by an official body of selectors who are publicly acknowledged as having the power to make such a selection; and a match which 1S organized by the official cricket administrators of the competing countries or by an official international body. If no team can be said 10 represent a country other than a Test team, if no match other than a test match can determine whether one country defeats another, or if no match has test status without the organization of the official /it. d.. administrators or of the official international body, a "test has unique features and the term "test" cannot be used indifferently to describe matches one of which has, and another of which does not have, the relevant features. If the features are uniquc, the term 1s incapable of truthiul use except to describe the match which possesses those features. The features referred to are related. It is common ground that the official administraLors (national and international) have hitherto organized Test matches; it is the official administrators who have selected the teams (or the selectors of the teams) and it is the teams so selected which represent their respective countries and play in the tests. Absent the administrators, and the features may cease to exist. The Appellant argues, rightly in my judgment, that those who know of the organization of Test matches by official administrators could not be misled or deceived by the. use by the Appellant of the terms complained of, once they are apprised of the fact that both the Board and the Conference oppose the holding of the World Series Cricket matches. Although knowledge may be a valuable barrier against deception, the question for the Court to determine is whether there is a prima facie case that the use of the terms complained of would mislead or deceive the class of persons to whom the advertising is addressed. In the present case, there is substantial evidence that the advertising is directed to the general public - the knowledgeable and those who are not, the superficial reader or viewer or listener as well as the profound, the gullible as well as the cautious. The unique features are not necessarily recognized by the public as depending upon the activities of the administrators. In my ./12. " 12. view, Mr Parish established @ prima facie case to support an injunction restraining the use of the terms referred to in the fourth and fifth orders. I should refer particularly to the proposed use of the term "Super Test". The description of the World Series Cricket matches as "Super Tests" will give rise at the trial to a nice question: does the term distinguish these matches from Tests, so that the use of the term does not deceive or mislead; or does 1t convey the meaning that Super Tests are Tests with features additional to the usual? No doubt the publicity which has been current since Nay and which used the term "Test" as well as "Supertest" to describe matches organized by World Serzes Crickel would assist to determine this question. The evidence is such as to establish a prima facie case in the relevant sense in respect of the use of "Super Test". Desirability of Granting an Injunction The application is for an interlocutory injunction which the Court is empowered to grant if it is of the opinion that it is "desirable to do so" (s.80(2)). From May to September, the matches which are to be promoted by the Appellant have been described in some of the media as "Testis" or "Super Tests" and the proposed team of Australian players has been described as the Australian team. Before these proceedings were commenced, no action was taken and no letter of demand was sent by Mr Parish or by the Board requiring the Appellant or any of the media to cease applying those descriptions. The Appellant says that Mr Parish is guilty of 'laches and that an interlocutory injunction should therefore be refused. Laches may bar a petitioner in equity who sleeps upon his rights from obtaining an ../L3. Lo. injunction against one who is infringing-those rights, bul Mr Parish has no rights which he 1s scekung to enforce sare the right conferred upon him by s.80(1)(c). Mr Parish is sceking ar anjunction which would, if granted, protect interests other than his - the interests of the Board of which he is Chairman and the interests of the public who may otherwise be deceived or misled. An injunction, having the effect of protecting the Board's rights of property, might have been put at risk by delay, but it does not appear that the Appellant was induced by any delay on the part of the Board or of Mr Parish to believe that the Board had no objection to the use of the terms now complained of to refer to the matches which the Appellant is promoting (see Brickworks Ltd. v. The Council of the Shire of Warringah 108 C.L.R. 568 at p. 579 and B.M. Auto Sales Pty. Ltd. v. Budget Rent-a-Car System Pty. Ltd. (1976) 12 A.L.R. 363 at , p. 372). Insofar as the injunction would protect the interests of the public, delay - whether on the part of Mr Parish or of the Board - is of lesser weight (Associated Minerals Consolidated Ltd. v. Wyong Shire Council 29 L.G.R.A. 323 alt p. 334).. The Appellant and companies with which it is associated propose a massive advertising campaign in which the Appellant's matches will be commended to the Australian public as having features which correspond with Test matches and which may indeed surpass them. The comparison with Test matches is inherent in the exercise. Test matches and World Series Cricket matches will be played during the same season; the Australian Test team and the World Series Cricket team composed of Australian players will be playing in the country ../14. simultancously. The situation is pregnant with confusicn. If it should turn out at the trial that the use of the term "Yest", "Lest Series" or "Super Test" or the description ot the team of Australian 'players as "Australia" or "The Australian Team" is deceptive or misleading, the deception will be complete and the misleading will be accomplished before the perpetual injunction is granted. On balance, I am of the opinion that 16 i8* desirable to grant a interlocutory injunction. The Orders I would vary the fourth and fifth orders, but I would discharge the first, second and third orders. Nr Parish did not establish that the Appellant proposed to engage in any relevant conduct other than the further publication of Exhibit B and the use, in the manner complained of, of the terms "Test", "Test Series", "Super Test", "Australia" or "Australian Team". There was therefore no prima facie case to support the first order, and it should be discharged. I do not need to consider the other objections , which were made to the form of this order. The Appellant had intended further to publish Exhibit B but in the course of proceedings an assurance has been given, consistently with evidence tendered before the learned Judge, that Exhibit B would not be published further. That evidence and assurance make it unnecessary, in my judgment, to make the second order - particularly in the light of the orders which it 1s appropriate to make and to which I refer below. The second order should be discharged. : The third order should be discharged for the treasons expressed above. It is not desirable to grant an interlocutory injunction founded upon the conduct which would allegedly ./15. contravene s.53(c). The fourth and {f1fth orders raise particular difficuities. I agree that the qualification in these orders ~ "in such a way as to be misleading or deceptive" 18 the qualification in the fourth order, and there is a similar qualification in the fifth ~ should be deleted. The fourth and fifth orders should reflect the prima facie case which Mr Parish has shown, and thal is not merely a case that the terms specified in the fourth and fifth orders will be used in reference to the Appellant's matches or teams, but is a case that their use in reference to those matches or teams will contravene s.52 in some way. If their use will contravene " s.52 only in cerlLain circumstances, the injunction should reflect the circumstances jin which the reference is prohibited. Mr Parish's undertaking as to damages is required to safeguard the interests of the Appellant if it should turn out that the use of the terms in those circumstances should not contravene s.52. If upon the prima facie case the use of the terms would be truthful provided the Appellant's matches and teams were clearly distinguished from Test matches and teams, the injunction should require the Appellant to make the distinction when, or if, it.uses the specified terms in reference to its matches or teams. Such an order is proposed by my brothers and, were it not for the difficulty which I entertain respecting the matter next to be mentioned, I should concur in the variation of the fourth and fifth orders which they propose. My diificulty stems from a view as to the nature of Mr Parish's case. The term "Test" (or the other terms specified in the fourth and fifth orders) connotes features which are unique to Test matches and which are not common to other matches, whatever may be the quality of the players or the countries from which they are drawn. If this be the nature of the prima facie case, the use of Lhe specisicd terms in reference to matches which do not possess the unique features is shown to be misleading or deceptive aS to those features, whether or not the two kands of matches or the teams to compete in those matches are distinctly identified. In my Opinion, the prima facie case shown by-Mr Parish supports an order which restrains without qualification the use of the terms "Test", "Test Series" and "Super Test" in reference to the Appellant's matches, and an order which restrains without qualification the use of the terms "The Australian Team" or "Australia" in reference to the teams competing in those matches. The application to the learned Judge was for a fourth order in a qualified form, and for a fifth order (in respect of the teams) in an unqualified form. This Court must determine whether merely to discharge the fourth order, the qualification presently expressed being inappropriate, or whether, upon Mr Parish giving an undertaking as to damages if a remoulded order should be made, to remould it. The remoulding of the fourth order would not give rise to auay fresh issue for determination. But the underlaking as to damages was given in respect of an injunction which was, by reason of the qualification, limited in its extent. If the order is to be remoulded, an undertaking would be required which would not be so limited. Similarly, upon the giving of a fresh undertaking as to damages, the fifth order should be remoulded. I concur in the judgment that the qualification expressed in His Honour's orders should be deleted, and that an order in a 1. /17. varied form should be made upon securing Tir Parish's further undertaking as to damages. For my part, however, I would not insert any other qualification in the fourth or fifth orders. I would, subject to a further undertaking, make orders restraining the Appellant until Che trial of these proceedings from referring in trade or commerce to any cricket matches organized by 1st as "Tests", "Test Series" or "Super Tests", and from referring to any teams of cricket'players in cricket matches organized by 1t as "The Australian Team" or "Australia". I concur in the order proposed by the Chief Judge as to costs.