Coonan & Denlay Pty Ltd & Anor v. Superstar Australia Pty Ltd [1981] FCA 145
Federal Court of Australia
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CATCHWORDS
Trade Practices ~ Conduct misleading or deceptive or likely to
mislead or deceive - Cricketers wearing applicants' cricket
helmet depicted on boxes containing respondent's helmet -
Prima facie breach s.52 Trade Practices Act.
Associated jurisdiction - Matter involving Trade Practices Act
associated with alleged breach of copyright in registered
design - s.32 Federal Court of Australia Act.
Registered designs - First named applicant exclusive licensee,
second named applicant registered owner of registered design
in respect of cricket helmet - Respondent threatening to
market similar helmet ~ Prima facie case of infringement of
s.30(1)(c) Designs Act.
Trade Practices Act 1974, s.52
Federal Court of Australia Act 1976, s.32
Designs Act 1906, s.30(1)(c)
COONAN & DENLAY PTY. LIMITED and ANTHONY EUNAN HENSON v.
SUPERSTAR AUSTRALIA PTY. LIMITED
N.S.W. No. G112 of 1981
Bowen C.J.
4 September 1981
Sydney.
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA)
)
NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY) No. G112 of 1981
)
GENERAL DIVISION )
BETWEEN:
COONAN & DENLAY PTY. LIMITED and
ANTHONY EUNAN HENSON
Applicants
AND:
SUPERSTAR AUSTRALIA PTY. LIMITED
Respondent
ORDER
JUDGE MAKING ORDER: Bowen C.J.
DATE OF ORDER: 4 September 1981.
WHERE MADE: Sydney.
THE COURT ORDERS THAT:
Upon the applicants giving to the Court the usual undertaking
as to damages, pending the determination of these proceedings
or further order the respondent by itself, its officers
servants and agents, be restrained from:
1. Selling offering or keeping for sale, supplying or
advertising any cricket helmet packaged in or sold offered
or supplied or advertised in conjunction with any box the
same or substantially the same as the box which is Exhibit
H; and
2. Selling offering or keeping for sale supplying or
advertising:
(a) any cricket helmet in the form of the helmet
Exhibit J; or
(b) any cricket helmet to which has been applied the
design registered number 74666 or any colourable
imitation thereof.
THE COURT FURTHER ORDERS AND DIRECTS THAT:
3. (i) The applicants do file and serve any further
affidavits upon which they rely within 21 days
from and including 1 September 1981;
(ii) The respondents do file and serve any
affidavits upon which they rely within 21 days
thereafter;
(iii) The applicants do file and serve any
affidavits upon which they rely in reply
within 10 days thereafter;
(iv) The evidence at the hearing be on affidavit
with cross-examination;
{v) The parties give discovery with verification
on or before 14 days after the completion of
the filing of affidavit evidence and that
inspection take place within 7 days
thereafter;
(vi) Any party delivering interrogatories do so
within 14 days of the time limited for
inspection and interrogatories be answered
within 10 days of delivery of the same.
This directions hearing stood over to Tuesday, 8 December
1981.
Any party be at liberty to apply on 48 hours notice.
The respondent pay to the applicants their costs of the
application for interim injunctions.
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA)
)
NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY) No. G112 of 1981
)
GENERAL DIVISION )
BETWEEN:
COONAN & DENLAY PTY. LIMITED and
ANTHONY EUNAN HENSON
Applicants
AND:
SUPERSTAR AUSTRALIA PTY. LIMITED
Respondent
CORAM: Bowen C.J.
4 September 1981.
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT
This is a aispute about that recent addition to
cricketers' equipment, the cricket helmet. Coonan & Denlay
Pty. Limited and Anthony Eunan Henson, applicants, have filed
an application seeking injunctions and other orders against
Superstar Australia Pty. Limited, respondent, in relation to
the sale of cricket helmets.
The matter comes before me for directions and for
interlocutory relief. Stating the matter in a summary way,
the applicants at this stage seek interlocutory orders
restraining the respondent from selling any cricket helmet
in packaging which is claimed to be misleading to the public;
from selling any cricket helmet in the form presently sold by
the respondent which it is claimed infringes registered design
no.74666 of which the first applicant is the exclusive
licensee and the second applicant the registered proprietor;
and, from selling any cricket helmet to which has been applied
the design disclosed in registered design no.74666.
The first claim is for an interim injunction under s.80 of
the Trade Practices Act 1974 to restrain conduct which is said
to be in contravention of s.52 of that Act. The second and
third claims are for interim injunctions based on alleged
breaches or threatened breaches of the copyright in the
registered design no.74666. Claims which are based on
infringement of copyright in a registered design should
normally be litigated in the appropriate Supreme Court
exercising federal jurisdiction with an appeal to this Court
(Designs Act 1906, ss.40A and 40B, cf. s.39). However, where
this Court has jurisdiction in relation to a matter under the
Trade Practices Act, it has conferred upon it by s.32 of the
Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 jurisdiction in respect of
matters not otherwise within its jurisdiction that are
associated with the matter in which its jurisdiction is
invoked. The associated matters covered by s.32 are matters
of federal jurisdiction not matters of State or non-federal
jurisdiction (Phillip Morris Inc. and Phillip Morris Limited
v. Adam P. Brown Fashions Pty. Limited (1981) 55 A.L.JU.R.
120).
Dealing with the claim under the Trade Practices Act it
appears to me that the applicants have established a prima
facie case of contravention of s.52 in the sense that they
have at this stage shown a probability of success at the
hearing (Beecham Group Limited v. Bristol Laboratories Pty.
Limited (1968) 118 C.L.R. 618).
The evidence shows that the respondent is selling a
ericket helmet in a box which has on its top:
"DUNCAN FEARNLEY"
[A logo of stumps and bails]
"Test Match
CRICKET HELMET
with VISOR"
On the left-hand side appears a coloured photograph of a
cricketer in action wearing a blue helmet with ear protectors.
Alongside this are the words "Graham Gooch Essex and England".
Above the photo appear the words "Endorsed by International
SUPERSTARS" and further to the right the logo and the words
"Perfection in Cricket Equipment". On the right-hand side
appears a coloured photograph of a cricketer in action wearing
a maroon helmet with visor. Alongside this are the words
"Kepler Wessels Qid. Australia" and above it are the words
"Endorsed by International SUPERSTARS". On the back of the
box is other printed material including the words "National
Distributor: Superstar Australia, Pty. Ltd.," and an address
and telephone number.
The evidence of Mr. Henson on affidavit and in the witness
box was that the helmet worn by Mr. Gooch in the photograph
was one manufactured by the first applicant for Mr. Gooch in
the 1978/79 cricket season when the English cricket team was
touring Australia. The ear guards were not in accordance with
the registered design but were manufactured by the first
applicant at the request of Mr. Gooch. He also gave evidence
that the helmet worn by Mr. Wessels in the photograph was one
of the helmets manufactured by the first applicant as
exclusive supplier to the Queensland cricket team.
For the applicants it was argued first, that the words
"test match" coupled with the other material conveyed a
representation that the helmet within the box which was being
sold was of a manufacture worn by players in test matches so
that a purchaser would be attired with the same equipment as a
test player and that it was not true that the respondent's
helmet had ever been worn in a test match by anyone.
Secondly, it was argued that a person viewing the box would be
led to the belief that the helmet was the same as that worn by
the two famous cricketers shown in action in the photographs
whereas they were wearing the applicants' helmet and not the
respondent's helmet. There was here a misrepresentation it
was said as to the connection between the photos and the
contents and between the person depicted as an endorser of the
product and the contents. Thirdly, it was argued that there
having been a great number of the applicants' helmets sold and
promoted the applicants' helmet was well-known so that some
people would be misled into buying the respondent's helmet
thinking they were getting the applicants' helmet.
For the respondent it was argued that in selling the
helmet in that box the respondent was simply selling an
article under its own name and that no-one would be misled.
It was said that Messrs. Gooch and Wessels were contracted to
Duncan Fearnley to endorse his products and that it had not
been proved that they were in fact depicted as wearing the
applicants' helmet. No evidence was offered by the
respondent.
On this aspect of the matter I am of opinion that the
applicants have established a prima facie case of
contravention of s.52. In view of the fact that this matter
will have to be fully litigated at the hearing I do not
propose to say more at this stage.
Turning to the question of infringement of the registered
design it was argued for the respondent that I had no
jurisdiction to entertain the claim on this basis. It was
said that the claim under the Trade Practices Act was only
Made by way of pretence and was merely colourable. On the
evidence at this stage I am of opinion that the claim under
the Trade Practices Act has substance and is not colourable.
This being so, I may add that I am of the view that the claim
in respect of the infringement of copyright in the registered
design of the helmet is an associated matter within s.32 of
the Federal Court of Australia Act and that I have
jurisdiction in respect of it.
Counsel for the respondent argued that his client's helmet
did not infringe the registered design. He drew attention to
differences in detail between the respondent's helmet, an
example of which was in evidence, and the registered design
itself. He also compared the respondent's helmet with an
example of the current helmet sold by the applicants, which
was an exhibit. He submitted further that the persons
purchasing these articles would be knowledgable in matters
relating to cricket and that the differences between the
helmets would be significant to them.
In considering the question of infringement I apply the
test laid down by Lord Herscheil in J. Harper & Co. Limited v.
Wright & Butler Lamp Manufacturing Co. Limited (1895) 12
R.P.C. 483 at p.488. The applicants' design in part involved
a modification of a riding cap. The respondent's helmet was
somewhat closer to the form of a riding cap than is the
registered design. Nevertheless, comparing the respondent's
helmet with the registered design including the visor, I have
come to the conclusion that notwithstanding there are some
minor variations the applicants have established a prima facie
case of infringement of the copyright in the registered
design.
The next question which arises is whether having regard to
the balance of convenience I should grant interim injunctions.
Counsel for the respondents have submitted that damages would
be an adequate remedy and that I should not intervene by
injunction at this stage. Slightly different considerations
apply to the claim for an injunction based on s.52 of the
Trade Practices Act from those which apply to the claim based
on registered design. Section 52 is a section designed to
protect the public. Holding as I do the view that a prima
facie case has been established that the box would be likely
to mislead, I consider that there are substantial reasons why
I should restrain its use pending the hearing. Such an
injunction would not interfere with any large established
business of the respondent. So far as the evidence disclosed,
the respondent had imported from Taiwan only a few samples of
its helmet. The invoices dated 30 July 1981 with
corresponding Qantas Airways Limited waybills were in evidence
showing importation of ten Duncan Fearnley cricket helmets
complete with face visor, ten Superstar cricket helmets
complete with face visor (ABS helmet) and ten replacement
protective visors. There appears to have been one
advertisement placed by the respondent in "Australian Sports
Goods and Toy Retailer" for July 1981 advertising Duncan
Fearnley cricket equipment including the helmet which is
depicted and described as "Duncan Fearnley test match helmet".
The evidence and what was said from the bar table suggest that
the respondent was presently testing the market and that it
was hoped before the 1981/82 cricket season started to begin
importing in quantity. I would have felt some reluctance to
grant an interim injunction extending over the whole of that
cricket season if a hearing of the case could not have been
arranged until next year. However, as the parties were
informed, the Court is in a position to give an early hearing
this year. The parties themselves require time to file their
affidavits and have discovery, inspection and interrogatories.
Short minutes of directions were handed up to me which in the
result were agreed to by the parties providing for the case to
be heard on affidavit evidence and providing for a timetable.
It was thought at the time that this timetable would result in
the case being ready to be heard in the latter part of this
year, although I have found that to achieve this result it
would be necessary to shorten certain of the times slightly.
The Court would then be able to give the parties a hearing.
In the circumstances I consider that the balance of
convenience is in favour of granting the injunction under the
Trade Practices Act until the hearing or further order.
The injunctions sought to restrain infringement of
copyright in the registered design are essentially a matter
between the parties. As I have noted, Counsel for the
respondent submits that damages would be an adequate remedy.
On this aspect Counsel for the applicants referred me to the
judgment of Graham J. in E.A.R. Corporation v. Protector
Safety Products (U.K.) Limited (1980) 6 F.S.R. 574. He
pointed out that there was no challenge to the validity of the
registered design and argued that the applicants were entitled
to build up their trade under the protection of the monopoly
conferred by the Designs Act without having that broken down
before the hearing. He offered the usual undertaking as to
damages.
The applicants proved substantial sales:
SALES
"1978 $ 10,000.00
1979 $270,000.00
1980 $240,000.00
1981 $102,330.00 (represents sales and
orders to date)
TOTAL $622,330.00"
In addition there was advertising by the applicants in
evidence in the "Official Test Cricket Book The Summer of
1980-81" and in the "World Series Cup Official One Day Cricket
Book The Summer of 1980-81".
In the circumstances and having regard to the small
initial business of the respondent in relation to the helmets
I am of opinion that the balance of convenience is in favour
of granting the injunctions to maintain the present position,
rather than to refuse the injunctions and to allow the
position to alter in the meantime with the possible
-10-
importation and sale of substantial quantities of the
respondents' helmets.
In the result I propose to grant interim injunctions. I
shall mention the form of those in a moment. First I should
say that I propose also to give directions as to affidavits,
discovery, inspection and interrogatories and to stand over
the directions hearing to a later date with liberty to apply.
The orders I make are:
Upon the applicants giving to the Court the usual undertaking
as to damages, order that pending the determination of these
proceedings or further order the respondent by itself, its
officers servants and agents, be restrained from:
1. Selling offering or keeping for sale, supplying or
advertising any cricket helmet packaged in or sold offered
or supplied or advertised in conjunction with any box the
same or substantially the same as the box which is Exhibit
H; and
2. Selling offering or keeping for sale supplying or
advertising:
(a) any cricket helmet in the form of the helmet
Exhibit J; or
(b) any cricket helmet to which has been applied the
design registered number 74666 or any colourable
imitation thereof.
- ll -
I further order and direct that:
3.
(i)
(iz)
(ii2)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
This directions hearing stood over to Tuesday,
1981.
The applicants do file and serve any further
affidavits upon which they rely within 21 days
from and including 1 September 1981;
The respondents do file and serve any
affidavits upon which they rely within 21 days
thereafter;
The applicants do file and serve any
affidavits upon which they rely in reply
within 10 days thereafter; .
The evidence at the hearing be on affidavit
with cross-examination;
The parties give discovery with verification
on or before 14 days after the completion of
the filing of affidavit evidence and that
inspection take place within 7 days
thereafter;
Any party delivering interrogatories do so
within 14 days of the time Limited for
inspection and interrogatories be answered
within 10 days of delivery of the same.
Any party be at liberty to apply on 48 hours notice.
The respondent pay to the applicants their costs of the
application for interim injunctions.
8 December
Icertify that this andthe //
preceding pages are a true copy of the
Reasons for Judgment herein of his Honour
the Chief Judge, Sir Nigel Bowen
PA
Associate
Dated: 4/4/61.