ACI Australia Ltd v. Glamour Glaze Pty Ltd & Ors [1988] FCA 139
Federal Court of Australia
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JUDGMENT No.3... LB
CATCHWORDS
TRADE PRACTICES - Alleged contraventions of ss. 52, 53 of the Trade
Practices Act - registration of business name —- persons dealing with
business on false bases - whether business name used by purchaser
Since acquisition of business - standing to restrain contravention of
Div. V of Trade Practices Act — whether public interest considerations
are relevant to grant of injunctive relief for contravention of ss.
52, 53.
PASSING OFF - Alleged tort of passing off goods and services as those
of applicant - agreement for acquisition of business expressly
excluded "goodwill" - whether transfer of all relevant rights
constituting business to purchaser nevertheless carried goodwill of
business - sufficient use of name and use of business assets
established reputation in name.
Trade Practices Act 1974: s. 52, 53, 80 & 82.
ACI AUSTRALIA LIMITED v. GLAMOUR GLAZE PTY. LTD., ALEX VASILJEVICH,
STEVEN VASILJEVICH (SNR.), STEVEN VASLJEVICH (JNR.) and SYLVIA
VASILJEVICH
VG 249 OF 1987
LOCKHART J.
SYDNEY
22 APRIL 1988
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA)
VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY
GENERAL DIVISION
BETWEEN;
)
) No. VG 249 of 1987
)
)
ACI AUSTRALIA LIMITED
AND:
JUDGE MAKING ORDER:
DATE ORDER MADE:
WHERE ORDER MADE:
Applicant
GLAMOUR GLAZE PTY. LTD.
First Respondent
ALEX VASILJEVICH
Second Respondent
STEVEN VASILJEVICH (SNR. )
Third Respondent
STEVEN VASILJEVICH (JNR.)
Pourth Respondent
SYLVIA VASILJEVICH
Fifth Respondent
LOCKHART J.
22 APRIL 1988
SYDNEY
MINUTE OF ORDERS
THE COURT ORDERS THAT:
1. The first respondent by itself its servants or agents be
restrained from —
4%
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
carrying on business, or representing that it carries on
business, under or by reference to the name ""Yencken Sandy
Glass Industries" or any name, word or words substantially
the same as that name or deceptively similar thereto;
using or causing to be used or allowing or permitting the use
of the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" or any name,
word or words substantially the same as that name or decep-
tively similar thereto in or in connection with any business
which it carries on or with which it is associated;
carrying on any business or representing that it carries ona
business of or in connection with the manufacture,
processing, distribution or sale of glass or glass products
under or by reference to any name, word or words which
consist of or include the word "Yencken" or the word "Sandy"
or any word or words substantially the same as either such
word or deceptively similar thereto;
using or causing to be used or allowing or permitting the use
of any name, word or words which consist of or include the
word "Yencken" or the word "Sandy" or any word or words sub-
stantially the same as either such word or words deceptively
similar thereto in or in connection with any business which
it carries on or with which it is associated, being a
business of or in connection with the manufacture,
processing, distribution or sale of glass or glass products
making any representation, in trade or commerce, in
connection with the supply or possible supply of, or with the
promotion of the supply or use of, glass or glass products,
'
that or to the effect that it has the sponsorship or approval
of, or an affiliation with, the applicant, Burns Philp and
Company Ltd or the business that traded before lst November
1985 as ""Yencken Sandy Glass Industries", or that or to the
effect that glass or glass products made, processed,
distributed or sold by it originate from premises formerly
occupied by the said business;
(£) representing that it has any association with the applicant
or any of its businesses or with Burns Philp and Company Ltd
or with the business carried on until lst November 1985 by
that company as "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" or that it
carries on such business or that its products or services or
any of them are or are associated with the products or
services of the applicant, of such company or of any such
business.
2. The second, third, fourth and fifth respondents be restrained
from aiding, abetting, counselling, procurring or inducing the first
respondent to do anything which is restrained by Order 1.
3. The first respondent lodge forthwith with the Commissioner
for Corporate Affairs of the State of Victoria a statement that it has
ceased to carry on business in Victoria under the name "Yencken Sandy
Glass Industries".
4. The first, third and fourth respondents lodge forthwith with
the Registrar of Companies of the State of South Australia a statement
that they do not and none of them does carry on business in South
Australia, and that they do not intend and none of them intends to
carry on business in that State, under the name "Yencken Glass" or the
name "Yencken Sandy Glass".
5. The first respondent forthwith take all necessary steps
within its power and do all such things as may be necessary and within
its power to prevent the publication by each and every person or
corporation with whom the first respondent has a contract, arrangement
or understanding in relation to the publication or further publication
in any telephone, business or other directory or any other publication
of the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries".
6. The first respondent cause a sealed copy of this Order to be
served on each of the persons and corporations referred to in Order 5.
7. Each respondent deliver up to the Court for destruction under
the surveillance of the applicant or its nominated representative ail
cards, letters, sheets, forms, brochures, pamphlets, documents and
other papers (excepting only the court documents in this application
and documents brought into existence for the purpose of defending this
proceeding) in the possession, power or control of that respondent
upon which appear the words ""Yencken Sandy" or the word "Yencken" or
the word "Sandy".
8. Orders 1 to 7 inclusive shall commence to operate upon the
expiration of fourteen days from today.
9. The applicant file and serve upon the respondents or their
solicitors within 21 days a document indicating whether it wishes to
pursue claims for damages pursuant to s. 82 of the Trade Practices Act
in relation to the breaches of ss. 52 and 53 of that Act the subject
of this proceedings and in relation to the tort of passing off, and in
the events that no such document is filed within that period or that
such document indicates that the claims for damages are not to be
pursued, the applicant's claims for damages shall stand dismissed.
10. The respondents pay the costs of the applicant of this
proceeding including any reserved costs.
11 Liberty is reserved to any party to apply on seven days'
notice.
NOTE: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of
the Federal Court Rules.
VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY
GENERAL DIVISION
BETWEEN:
COURT: LOCKHART J.
DATE: 22 APRIL 1988
PLACE: SYDNEY
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA)
)
) No. VG 249 of 1987
)
)
ACI AUSTRALIA LIMITED
Applicant
GLAMOUR GLAZE PTY. LTD.
First Respondent
ALEX VASILJEVICH
Second Respondent
STEVEN VASILJEVICH (SNR. )
Third Respondent
STEVEN VASILJEVICH (JNR.)
Fourth Respondent
SYLVIA VASILJEVICH
Fifth Respondent
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT
LOCKHART J.
ACI Australia Limited ("ACI") seeks to restrain Glamour Glaze
Pty. Ltd. ("Glamour Glaze") and certain of its officers from carrying
on business under the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries". Damages
2.
are also sought. ACI''s claim is based on alleged contraventions of
ss. 52 and 53 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and on the tort of
passing off.
The case has the novel twist that ACI became entitled to use
the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" in 1985 but it has chosen
not to use it.
"Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" is a well-known name in the
glass industry. Indeed, it is the combination of two separately
well-known names "Yencken" and "Sandy". Edward Lowernstern Yencken
founded the Yencken enterprise in Melbourne in the 1880's. He
commenced carrying on the business of manufacturing, distributing and
selling glass products under the name, or names which included the
name, "Yencken". In 1892 a company, E.L. Yencken & Company Pty.
Limited, was incorporated and Mr. Yencken became its chairman. It
took over Mr. Yencken's business. In about 1897 E.L. Yencken &
Company Limited changed its name to E.L. Yencken & Company Pty.
Limited. The latter company was subsequently voluntarily wound up and
a new company known as E.L. Yencken & Company Limited was incorporated
to carry on the business, which it did. The name of the company was
then changed to E.L. Yencken & Company Pty. Limited. Mr. Yencken's
son, Edward, succeeded to the chairmanship of the company upon the
death of his father in 1932. The Yencken business boomed after the
Second World War and in about 1957 the company moved into premises at
South Melbourne. In 1964 Mr. Edward Yencken Jnr. died and his son,
also Edward Yencken, became chairman of the company. The company was
not only in the glass business but was also a large distributor of
builders' hardware, until in about 1968 the company discontinued
trading except in the glass business.
"
In 1969 the company acquired a majority holding in Malvern
Glass Industries Limited and the glass business was transferred to the
lastmentioned company. The name of Malvern Glass Industries Limited
was then changed to Yencken Glass Industries Limited. At about that
time Yencken Glass Industries Limited took over Hamilton Glass Works
Pty. Limited in Sydney and Crystal Glass and Mirror Co. Pty. Limited
in Brisbane. In 1972 sixty-six per cent of the capital in Yencken
Glass Industries Limited was acquired by Burns Philp & Company Limited
("Burns Philp") and in about 1976 the remainder of the share capital
of the company was acquired by Burns Philp. The, business of the
company was then amalgamated with a similar business conducted by
Burns Philp, namely, James Sandy & Co. Limited ("James Sandy"). James
Sandy was a producer of glass as was well known in New South Wales.
From 14 January 1977 until 1 November 1985 Burns Philp carried on the
business of glass distribution and glazing contracting in New South
Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia
under the name Yencken Sandy Glass Industries. By 1 November 1985 the
Yencken Sandy Glass Industries business was large. It had many staff
and the business operated at and from premises in various large
centres in the states to which I have referred. During the period
Burns Philp carried on business under the name Yencken Sandy Glass
Industries the business and its products were extensively advertised
throughout Australia.
By agreement dated 21 October 1985 between Burns Philp and
ACI Australia Limited ("ACI") which took effect from 1 November 1985,
"ACI purchased from Burns Philp all the plant, equipment, furniture and
fittings owned by Burns Philp and used in the Yencken Sandy Glass
4.
Industries' business; took from Burns Philp an assignment of all the
rights of Burns Philp under leases of plant used in the business and
purchased all the stock in the business. By that agreement Burns
Philp also agreed to assign to ACI all registered business names under
which it carried on the business and to assign to it all its right,
title and interest in certain trade marks, patents and licences
together with any copyright attaching to literature, designs,
writings, logos and other material capable of being protected by
copyright which was used in the business.
The sale and purchase agreement of 21 October 1985 between
Burns Philp and ACI provides in clause 13:
"13. GOODWILL
13.1 The Vendor and Purchaser agree that:
(a) subject to (b) below and Clause i5 hereof
the goodwill of the Business shall not
pass to the Purchaser on completion;
(b) the Vendor shall assign any registered
business name under which the Vendor
carries on business in Australia to the
Purchaser at the Completion Date."
The reason for Burns Philp and ACI agreeing that the goodwill
was not to pass to ACI appear to derive both from the performance of
the business at the time of sale and from accounting conventions in
relation to the valuation of unprofitable businesses. Although
Yencken Sandy Glass Industries had a fine reputation with the public,
it appears that by 1985 its reputation with the trade had slipped a
little, because it was known to the trade that the business was not
trading profitably while the service was not as reliable as.it had
been earlier.
~~
In the two years up to June 1985 Yencken Sandy Glass
Industries had traded unprofitably 1n its glass division. Burns Philp
was therefore concerned that ACI, as purchaser, may have felt that it
was buying a profitable business, with the possibility that some claim
might be made against Burns Philp if the business continued to be
unprofitable. The assets of Yencken Sandy Glass Industries were sold
to ACI at their written down book value at the date of sale and no
amount was ascribed to goodwill except possibly a nominal amount.
After 1 November 1985 ACI carried on the business of the
wholesale distribution of glass and of glazing contracting at and from
the premises of Yencken Sandy Glass Industries.
By circular letter of 28 October 1985 which ACI sent to the
existing known customers of Yencken Sandy Glass Industries, of whom
there were about 3,600, those customers were notified that ACI had
acquired the business of Yencken Sandy Glass Industries from Burns
Philp and that it would continue to provide the products and services
to which the customers had become entitled. The respondents asserted
that this circular letter was inaccurate and misleading. This attack
has not been made out. The letter was a commercial letter to be
interpreted sensibly and I see nothing in it which is inaccurate or
misleading. ACI also arranged for all telephone callers to the
telephone numbers of Yencken Sandy Glass Industries to be
automatically referred to Telecom Australia and thence by Telecom to
the relevant telephone numbers of ACI.
6.
At the time Yencken Sandy Glass Industries was acquired by
ACI there were four national wholesale glass distributors operating
throughout Australia, namely, Yencken Sandy Glass Industries, T & K
Glass, Oliver Davey Glass Co. and O'Brien Glass Industries Limited.
It is relevant here to note something of the history of T & K Glass,
which gave rise to its present association with ACI.
Por many years a wholesale glass distribution business had
been conducted by Acmil Industries Pty. Limited in all States of
Australia (except Tasmania) and the Northern Territory under names
which included the letters and words "T & K Glass". The same company
conducted the business in Tasmania under the name "S & B Stegbar". In
April 1981 ACI acquired effective control of Acmil which then carried
on the "T & K Glass" and "S & B Stegbar" business. In or about April
1986 ACI itself commenced to carry on these businesses under the name
"? & K Glass" and in Tasmania under the name "S & B Stegbar".
It is plain that by 1 November 1985 the name "Yencken Sandy
Glass Industries" had a substantial, valuable and widely recognised
reputation within the glass industry in Australia which reputation was
known to persons including retail glass merchants, glaziers, builders,
architects, furniture manufacturers and the general public. That
reputation involved association of the name with quality glass and
glass products, including stained glass windows, being a reputation
which was associated with the long established Yencken and Sandy Glass
businesses.
Since 1 November 1985 it has been well known within the glass
industry in Australia - again including retail glass merchants,
7.
glaziers, builders, architects, furniture manufacturers and the
general public -— that ACI had acquired the business of Yencken Sandy
Glass Industries including the plant, equipment and stock of the
business; that ACI occupied the premises of the business; that ACI was
and is continuing to supply the needs of the customers of that
business; that it had taken into its employ many of the employees of
that business and that ACI's stated objective was to maintain the long
established tradition of quality of product and service of the
business and to improve it.
The respondent company, Glamour Glaze Pty. Limited ("Glamour
Glaze"), was incorporated on 29 January 1986. The third respondent,
Mr. Steven Vasiljevich (Snr), has at all material times been a
director - and in practice appears to have probably acted as the
chairman of directors - of Glamour Glaze. The second respondent, Alex
Vasiljevich, and the fourth respondent Steven Vasiljevich Jnr., are
sons of Mr. Vasiljevich Snr. The fifth respondent, Sylvia
Vasiljevich, is the wife of Mr. Vasiljevich Snr. and the mother of the
second and fourth respondents. They all work in the business. Mr.
Vasiljevich Snr. has been involved in the glass industry in Australia
since 1956 and has had his own business since 1958 in various places
in Victoria. Previously the business associated with the Vasiljevich
family had been conducted at premises at Gardenvale, but since 1983
the business has been located at Phillip Street and Flinders Street,
Mentone. Since 1983 the business has been called "Mentone Glass" and
advertised by that name. The business was named after Mentone in
Victoria where the Vasiljevich's factory is presently situated. In
August 1987 Glamour Glaze leased a large factory and office premises
at 106 Centre Road, Clayton, Victoria. The premises abut the rear of
8.
the premises of T & K Glass in Carroll Street, Clayton. "The
Vasiljevich's business still uses the name "Mentone Glass" which is
well known to the public and the trade in Victoria. Mentone Glass
manufactures glass products. It and ACI are in the same general area
of business.
On 29 January 1987 Glamour Glaze caused the name "Yencken
Sandy Glass Industries" to be registered under the Business Names Act
1962 (Vic) and it has carried on business since then under that name.
On 27 February 1987 one of the Vasiljevichs caused to be registered
under the Business Names Act 1963 (SA) the names "Yencken Glass" and
"Yencken Sandy Glass". In the Australian Capital Territory
registration of "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" was in the name of
ACI but it ceased on 15 January 1988 when the name "Yencken Sandy
Glass" was registered by ACI in ail States and Territories except
Victoria and South Australia.
Some time before the end of August 1987 Glamour Glaze
commenced to carry on and has continued to carry on business as a
processor and distributor of glass and glass products under the name
"yencken Sandy Glass Industries"; and from about the beginning of
October 1987 its business has included the manufacture and
distribution of mirrors under the name "Yencken Sandy Glass
Industries". Mr. Alex Vasiljevich, as marketing manager of Glamour
Glaze, has used a business card with the inscription "Yencken Sandy
Glass Industries - a Division of Glamour Glaze Pty. Limited Aust. -
Alex Vasiljevich —- Marketing Manager". The 1987 White Pages telephone
directory for Melbourne has an entry "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries —
10 Phillips Ment 584 7007" which was inserted by one or other of the
9.
respondents. Glamour Glaze caused a large advertisement to be placed
in the 1988 Telecom Australia Melbourne Yellow Pages telephone
directory under the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" which bears
amongst other things the words "One of Australia's largest mirror
manufacturers".
Mr. Vasiljevich Snr. gave evidence. He was generally very
frank. He said that after ACI acquired the Yencken Sandy Glass
Industries business it ceased to use that name. He thought that there
might still be some value for Glamour Glaze in the name "Yencken Sandy
Glass Industries" so he took the step in 1986 of reserving the name
under the Business Names Act 1962 (Vic) after ACI allowed the
reservation of the name to expire in Victoria on 14 January 1986. He
said that Glamour Glaze uses the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries"
because it brings in business. The name has value because the name is
well known in the industry although Mr. Vasiljevich Snr. asserted that
in recent times the reputation of Yencken Sandy Glass had declined.
Mr. Vasiljevich accepted in evidence that the name had an old
reputation, and agreed that is why he wanted to use it. He accepted
that Glamour Glaze used the name "to get some business out of the
industry" that it could not otherwise obtain. He said that Glamour
Glaze has had a good response to its entry in the telephone book from
people telephoning who want to deal with "Yencken Sandy Glass
Industries" and who have expressed pleasure on hearing that the name
is trading again. He said that the name has a competitive and
commercial benefit and that Glamour Glaze can derive an advantage from
using it provided Glamour Glaze "work[s] for it". He wanted people to
think that the Yencken Sandy Glass business was operating again. Mr.
Vasiljevich in evidence described the commercial advantage that he
10.
wanted to derive from the use of the name as arising because it had
been advertised for a long time and many people in the glass and
building business knew about "Yencken Sandy Glass". He said that if
Glamour Glaze gave customers proper service then 1t would keep their
custom.
Mr. Vasiljevich said that if Glamour Glaze could not use the
name then the expansion of its business would be in serious jeopardy
because it would have to use a name that is not known. When asked
about the name "Mentone" he said it was a very small operation. He
said that if Glamour Glaze was prevented from using the name Yencken
Sandy Glass he thought that the monthly orders for 30,000 square
metres presently achieved by Glamour Glaze would be lost. Mr.
Vasiljevich's evidence on these two lastmentioned matters was not
convincing and the evidence about potential loss of orders was
uncorroborated. Glamour Glaze has nine trucks of which seven were
purchased after these proceedings commenced on 21 September 1987.
None of the trucks have Yencken Sandy Glass Industries painted on the
side, since Glamour Glaze has apparently awaited the result of these
proceedings before attaching signs already in its possession.
ACI asserts that in these circumstances Glamour Glaze has
represented that its products are those of or are associated with
those of ACI or Burns Philp or the business traditionally known as
Yencken Sandy Glass Industries; and has represented that Glamour Glaze
has taken over and conducted that business and that it is part of or
associated with either ACI or Burns Philp or both. These
representations are said to be false because there never has been any
connection or association between Glamour Glaze on the one hand and
ee ar
11.
ACI, Burns Philp or the business Yencken Sandy Glass Industries on the
other hand.
ACI claims that Glamour Glaze has contravened s. 52 of the
Act by engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct. ACI claims that
Glamour Glaze has also contravened s. 53 by representing that the
company Glamour Glaze has the sponsorship and approval of or an
affiliation with ACI or Burns Philp; by representing that it has an
affiliation with the business Yencken Sandy Glass Industries; and by
representing that its goods originate from premises formerly occupied
by Yencken Sandy Glass Industries. ACI claims that each of the
representations was made in connection with the supply or possible
supply of and the promotion of the supply or use of glass and glass
products produced by Glamour Glaze, that each of the representations
was false and without foundation and that in the circumstances Glamour
Glaze has made false representations in connection with the supply of
or possible supply of or with the promotion of the supply or use of
goods contrary to s. 53 of the Act. The personal respondents are said
to have aided, abetted, counselled, procured or induced Glamour Glaze
to engage in the conduct in contravention of the Act.
ACI asserts that the valuable and substantial reputation
under and by reference to the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries"
for the wholesale distribution of glass and for glazing contracting
which Burns Philp had until 1 November 1985 passed to ACI on or about
that date; and that since 1 November 1985 ACI has enjoyed a
substantial and valuable reputation within the glass industry as
carrying on the Yencken Sandy Glass Industries business. ACI asserts
that Glamour Glaze has passed off its business as being associated
12.
with that of ACI and its products and services. It 1S asserted that
ACI has suffered loss and damage by reason of the conduct of the
respondents.
Injunctive relief and damages are sought. However it was
agreed by the parties well in advance of the trial, and such agreement
was endorsed by order of another Judge of this Court, that the
assessment of damages should be tried separately from and later than
the issue of liability. Hence it is the question of liability which
the Court has to determine at this stage.
Division 1 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act ("the Act")
is designed to protect the consuming public from unfair trading
practices: Hornsby Building Information Centre Pty. Limited v. Sydney
Building Information Centre Limited (1978) 140 C.L.R. 216; World
Series Cricket Pty. Limited v. Parish (1977) 16 A.L.R. 181. Section
52 prohibits corporations in trade or commerce engaging in misleading
or deceptive conduct or conduct that is likely to mislead or deceive.
Section 52A prohibits corporations from engaging in unconscionable
conduct in connection with the supply of goods or services. Section
53 prohibits such corporations in connection with the supply of goods
or services or their promotion from making false representations about
the goods relating to their standard, quality, grade, composition,
style, history, sponsorship approval, performance characteristics,
uses or benefits and other matters. Other conduct that is proscribed
includes use of physical force or undue harrassment or coercion in
connection with the sale of land (s. 53A); a corporation engaging in
conduct that is liable to mislead applicants in relation to employment
(s. 53B); bait advertising (s. 56); referral selling (s. 57); pyramid
13.
selling (s. 61) and various other practices to which Part V Division 1
of the Act is directed. Sections 52 and 53 with which this case is
concerned are not intended to confer rights upon traders to protect
their business interests as such, although the operation of the
sections may incidentally have that effect: see Hornsby Building
Information Centre Pty. Limited v. Sydney Building Information Centre
Limited (supra) per Barwick C.J. at 220, with whom Aickan J. agreed.
The names Yencken and Sandy Glass are old and well known
names in the glass industry in this country and more recently their
combined form of "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" has also become well
known to persons engaged at all relevant levels in the glass industry
in various states and territories throughout Australia and the general
public. Since 1977, when the amalgamated business of Yencken Glass
Industries Limited, Burns Philp and James Sandy was carried on by
Burns Philp under the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" the name
has become well known to the trade and public. The relevant part of
the trade concerns those engaged in the manufacture, distribution and
sale of glass and glass products including glass merchants, glaziers,
builders, architects, furniture manufacturers.
Glamour Glaze has since before the end of August 1987 carried -
on business as a process and distributor of glass and glass products
under the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries". The very name, and
the combination of names within it, must inevitably be associated in
the mind of the public and the trade with the businesses previously
carried on under the name of Yencken Glass Industries or James Sandy &
Co. Limited and more recently under the name Yencken Sandy Glass
Industries. As I said earlier Mr. Vasiljevich Snr. was frank about
14,
why his company took steps to register "Yencken Sandy Glass
Industries" as a business name in Victoria and in South Australia,
namely, to get the benefit of the well known name and names associated
with that title built up over many years by those who owned those
businesses. In short, he hoped to attract custom from people who,
when they got in touch with Glamour Glaze, assumed that they were
dealing with the successor to those old businesses or someone having
some trade association with then. It is an inference clearly
available on the evidence that a considerable portion of the business
developed by Glamour Glaze in recent months has been due to the trade
and members of the public dealing with Glamour Glaze on a false
premise or assumption. I draw that inference. Glamour Glaze is
trading on the strength of the well known name.
This is not a case of mere confusion in the minds of the
trade or the public which might be resolved upon their learning, if
they ever did, that Glamour Glaze is not connected with the company or
companies which previously carried on business as Yencken Glass
Industries or James Sandy & Co Limited or Yencken Sandy Glass
Industries. The use by Glamour Glaze of the very name "Yencken Sandy
Glass Industries" has misled and will continue to mislead and deceive
the public into believing that, when dealing with Glamour Glaze, they:
are in fact dealing with the company or companies that previously
carried on business under that name or some variation thereof. It is
not necessary that evidence be adduced to establish that conduct is
misleading or deceptive, though it is admissible and may be persuasive
in some circumstances: Taco Company of Australia Inc. v. Taco Bell
Pty. Limited (1982) 42 A.L.R. 177 per Deane and Fitzgerald JJ. at 202.
The conclusion is plain from facts not in dispute. In any event there
15.
is evidence before the Court that corroborates this finding of
misleading or deceptive conduct.
The conduct of Glamour Glaze plainly to my mind contravenes
s. 52 of the Trade Practices Act. It also contravenes certain
provisions of s. 53. Glamour Glaze is falsely representing to the
public that its goods have the sponsorship and approval of and an
affiliation with ACI or Burns Philp and that Glamour Glaze has an
affiliation with the businesses previously carried on by those who
from time to time have been entitled to use the words "Yencken" or
"Sandy" or "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" or some variation thereof.
Thus sub-ss. 53(c) and (d) have been contravened.
The name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" has not been used
by ACI since it acquired the business from Burns Philp in 1985. Even
if it was intended by ACI when it made the acquisition not to use the
mame when it acquired it, it does not alter the fact that members of
the trade and the general public are being misled and deceived by the
conduct of Glamour Glaze. It is, of course, the interests of the
public with which the section is concerned. It is well established
that any person may bring proceedings to restrain a contravention of
Part V of the Trade Practices Act. The applicant's standing is
derived from the fact that his application secures the public
interest of consumer protection. It is irrelevant whether any
interest of his own is affected or not: Parish v. World Series
Cricket (supra) per Bowen C.J. at 186-7, per Franki J. at 194;
Hornsby Building Information Centre Pty. Limited v. Sydney Building
Information Centre Limited (supra); R. v. Federal Court of Australia;
ex parte Pilkington A.C.I. (Operations) Pty. Ltd. (1978) 142 C.L.R.
16.
113 per Stephen J. at 120-121; per Mason J. at 128; per Murphy J. at
131; Phelps v. Western Mining Corporation Limited (1978) 20 A.L.R.
183 per Bowen C.J. at 187, per Deane J. at 189.
It was argued on behalf of the respondents that injunctive
relief should not be granted even if the Court finds established, as I
do, contraventions of ss. 52 or 53, because the conduct or position of
ACI or its associated companies in what was described as the ACI group
of companies debars it from obtaining such relief. ACI appears to be
in a dominant position in the glass industry in this country.
Pilkington-ACI (a combination of the Pilkington companies of the
United Kingdom and the ACI companies in Australia) control all but one
of the major companies operating in the glass processing and
distribution field, the exception being O'Brien Glass Industries
Limited.
It was also argued that relief should be refused because ACI
may have engaged in conduct constituting breaches of certain
provisions of the Act including sub-s. 45(c) as to covenants in
relation to prices; s. 46 in relation to abuse of market power; s. 47
as to exclusive dealing and s. 50 as to mergers which allow a
corportaion to be in a position to dominate a market. It was argued
by the respondents that there were public interest considerations
which should prevent the grant of injunctive relief.
The Court has a discretion to grant or withhold injunctive
relief, although in Phelps v. Western Mining Corporation Limited
(supra) Bowen C.J. at 187-188 left open the question whether the
Court's powers under s. 80 of the Act included such a discretion. His
17.
Honour was there concerned primarily with the issue of standing under
s. 80. I have real reservations as to whether the public interest
considerations which the respondent asserts are relevant in deciding
whether or not to grant or withhold injunctive relief under s. 80 for
contraventions of ss. 52 or 53. After all, a finding that ss. 52 and
53 have been contravened necessarily involves findings that the
respondents' conduct is misleading or deceptive and that the public
must, at least prima facie, be protected from a repetition of that
conduct: see Phelps v. Western Mining Corporation Ltd (supra) per
Bowen C.J. at 188, where his Honour observed that in _ such
circumstances, "it will often be in the public interest that an
injunction under s. 80 be granted, whatever the interest of the
applicant in bringing the suit". I prefer to leave this question
open.
I am satisfred on the facts of this case that there is no
warrant for withholding the grant of such relief. Certainly I do not
think this case is appropriate for conversion to some mini-trial of
complicated issues such as those which inevitably arise where breach
of ss. 45, 46, 47 and 50 is alleged, especially when such breaches are
not pleaded and only raised in the course of final address.
I am satisfied that each of the personal respondents to the
proceedings has aided, abetted, counselled, procured and induced
Glamour Glaze to engage in the contravention of the ss. 52 and 53. It
was not asserted that any other conclusion was open if the primary
finding was made as to the contraventions by Glamour Glaze.
It was also argued on behalf of ACI that Glamour Glaze had
committed the tort of passing off its goods and services as those of
18.
ACI. The facts establish that ACI has, since November 1985, enjoyed a
substantial and valuable reputation within the glass industry and
among retail glass merchants, glaziers, builders, architects,
furniture manufacturers and the public generally as carrying on the
business previously carried on as "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries".
ACI has enjoyed an associated reputation as a distributor of the same
glass and glass products and as a provider of services in connection
with those products as had been distributed and provided by that
business. Glamour Glaze has passed off its business and services as
being associated with ACI and its products and services.
It was argued on behalf of the respondents that, since ACI
did not acquire the goodwill in the "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries"
business from Burns Philp in 1985, it could not sue for passing off.
In 1985 ACI acquired the business of "Yencken Sandy Glass
Industries" from Burns Philp. The Sale and Purchase Agreement had
effect that the acquisition was of all the plant, equipment and
fittings owned by Burns Philp and used in the business of Yencken
Sandy Glass Industries; all the rights of Burns Philp under leases of
plant used in the business; all the stock in the business; the right
to occupy the premises of the business at various addresses in
Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western
Australia whether by lease, sub-lease, assignment of lease or licence;
all registered business names under which it carried on the business;
and Burns Philp agreed to assign to ACI all its right title and
interest in certain trade marks, patents and licences together with
copyright attaching to literature, design, writing, logo and other
material capable of being protected by copyright which was used in the
business.
19.
It is true that clause 13 provided that, subject to the
obligations of Burns Philp to assign registered business names under
which it carried on the business in Australia to ACI at the completion
date and to the assignment of trade marks, patents and licences and
copyright rights, the goodwill of the business did not pass to ACI on
completion. This is a curious provision but, as mentioned earlier, it
was explained in evidence - which was not challenged - that Burns
Philp did not want to give the impression to ACI that the business was
profitable, lest it be open to suit from ACI.
Goodwill is itself a somewhat ephemeral notion. The classic
definition of goodwill is that of Lord Linley in Inland Revenue
Commissioners v. Muller Co's Margarine Ltd. (1901) A.C. 217 at 235 as:
"Goodwill regarded as property has no meaning except in
connection with some trade, business or calling. In
that connection I understand the word to include
whatever adds value to a business by reason of
situation, name and reputation, connection,
introduction to old customers and agreed absence from
competition, or any of these things, and there may be
others which do not occur to me. In this wide sense,
goodwill is inseparable from the business to which it
adds value and, in my opinion, exists where the
business is carried on."
Every other relevant proprietary right relating to the business
conducted by Burns Philp appears to have passed to ACI except for
"goodwill", the exclusion of which was for the reason given in
evidence. It was argued by counsel for ACI that, notwithstanding the
provisions of clause 13, ACI did in fact acquire the "goodwill" of the
business because all the other things it acquired left nothing in
Burns Philp to which goodwill could attach. In my opinion this
= hee 8
20.
argument is correct. The parties to the agreement of 21 October 1985
inserted clause 13 for a special purpose. Any "goodwill" in
connection with the business of "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" had
no existence independently of that business, and passed to ACI when
all relevant rights which constituted the business were transferred to
ACI. Even if goodwill had not been assigned to ACI it would not
matter for the purposes of this case. Every other right making up the
business passed to ACI, and this is sufficient to allow ACI to claim
the business and reputation attached to the name "Yencken Sandy Glass
Industries".
It was argued on behalf of the respondents that since ACI has
not used the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" in its business
since 1985 it cannot succeed in its claim for passing off.There are
reported cases where the absence of the use of the relevant name or
failure of the applicant for relief to continue to use the name has
been fatal to success in establishing a case of passing off. Elders
IXL Ltd. v. Australian Estates Pty. Ltd. [1987] A.T.P.R. 40-832 is one
such case and it refers to others. They are cases which depended upon
their own facts and do not bear upon the present case. Equally, there
are reported cases where a failure to use the name in dispute, even
over a period of some years' suspension of use, has been held not to
deny relief in passing off: Ballarat Products Ltd. v. Farmers
Smallgoods Co. Pty. Ltd. [1957] V.R. 104; Ad-Lib Club Limited v.
Granville (1972) R.P.C. 673. A case which assists the applicants, at
least by analogy, is Fletcher Challenge Ltd. v. Fletcher Challenge
Pty. Limited (1981) 1 N.S.W.L.R. 196, where Powell J. held that the
newly incorporated plaintiff could succeed in an action for passing
off on the basis of an existing reputation in the jurisdiction,
although it had not carried on business in the jurisdiction (at 205).
21.
It is well known in the trade and amongst certain members of
the public that ACI acquired the business known as "Yencken.Sandy
Glass Industries" from Burns Philp. Though ACI has not carried on the
business which it acquired from Burns Philp under the name "Yencken
Sandy Glass Industries", it continued to sell a number of products in
the product range that bear brand names or product names involving the
name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" or some component of it. Also,
the arrangements made by ACI with Telecom are such that anyone
telephoning the numbers previously used by "Yencken Sandy Glass
Industries" will be informed of the telephone numbers of T & K Glass,
which company is the vehicle for ACI's operations in the glass
industry. At least fifty such telephone calls have been made since
the end of October 1987. The statement that ACI no longer uses the
name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" requires qualification in the
light of these matters. Further, ACI used and continues to use in its
business assets which it aquired from Burns Philp under the 1985
agreement and which were used in the "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries"
business. These circumstances distinguish this case from cases such
as Elders IXL Limited v. Australian Estates Pty. Limited (supra) with
respect to the applicant's claim to relief in the action for passing
off.
In my opinion Glamour Glaze has passed off its goods and
services as those of ACI in relation to the business acquired by ACI
in 1985 from Burns Philp notwithstanding that ACI does not presently
use the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries".
o
22.
I propose to grant injunctive relief. I said earlier that it
was agreed before the hearing commenced, and an order made by consent
by another Judge of this Court, that the assessment of any damages
should be tried separately from the questions of liability.
Sufficient evidence of damage or likelihood of damage has been
established under s. 82 and under the law of passing off to support an
order for an inquiry as to damages. However, discussion between
counsel and the bench in the concluding stages of the argument
established that if injunctive relief is granted it is unlikely that
any claim for damages will be pursued by ACI. Hence, the form of
relief which I propose to grant will give ACI an opportunity to make a
final decision as to whether or not it seeks to prosecute its claim
for damages, and if it does not prosecute such a claim, then the
orders of the Court should become final. Otherwise, an outstanding
inquiry as to damages would probably result in any injunctive relief
being in the nature of interlocutory orders: see Computer Edge Pty.
Ltd. v. Apple Computer Inc. (1984) 54 A.L.R. 767 per Gibbs C.J. at
768. '
During final addresses I discussed with counsel the
appropriate form of orders to be made in the event that ACI should
succeed. The orders mentioned below reflect that discussion. Order
8 is to be made because counsel for the respondents sought a period of
fourteen days after the granting of any injunctions so that Glamour
Glaze could re-arrange its affairs to enable it to comply with the
injunctions. The period requested is reasonable.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
23.
I propose to make the following orders:-
That the first respondent by itself its servants or agents be
restrained from —
carrying on business, or representing that it carries on
business, under or by reference to the name "Yencken Sandy
Glass Industries" or any name, word or words substantially
the same as that name or deceptively similar thereto;
using or causing to be used or allowing or permitting the use
of the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" or any name,
word or words substantially the same as that name or decep-
tively similar thereto in or in connection with any business
which it carries on or with which it is associated;
carrying on any business or representing that it carries ona
business of or in connection with the manufacture,
processing, distribution or sale of glass or glass products
under or by reference to any name, word or vords which
consist of or include the word "Yencken" or the word "Sandy"
or any word or words substantially the same as either such
word or deceptively similar thereto; ,
using or causing to be used or allowing or permitting the use
of any name, word or words which consist of or include the
word "Yencken" or the word "Sandy" or any word or words sub-
stantially the same as either such word or words deceptively
similar thereto in or in connection with any business which
it carries on or with which it is associated, being a
business of or in connection with the manufacture,
processing, distribution or sale of glass or glass products;
24,
(e) making any representation, 1n trade or commerce, in
connection with the supply or possible supply of, or with the
promotion of the supply or use of, glass or glass products,
that or to the effect that it has the sponsorship or approval
of, or an affiliation with, the applicant, Burns Philp and
Company Ltd or the business that traded before lst November
1985 as ""Yencken Sandy Glass Industries", or that or to the
effect that glass or glass products made, processed,
distributed or sold by ait originate from premises formerly
occupied by the said business;
(f£) representing that it has any association with the applicant
or any of its businesses or with Burns Philp and Company Ltd
or with the business carried on until 1st November 1985 by
that company as "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries" or that it
carries on such business or that its products or services or
any of them are or are associated with the products or
services of the applicant, of such company or of any such
business.
2. That the second, third, fourth and fifth respondents be
restrained from aiding, abetting, counselling, procurring or inducing
the first respondent to do anything which is restrained by Order 1.
3. That the first respondent lodge forthwith with the
Commissioner for Corporate Affairs of the State of Victoria a
statement that it has ceased to carry on business in Victoria under
the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries".
25.
4. That the first, third and fourth respondents lodge forthwith
with the Registrar of Companies of the State of South Australia a
statement that they do not and none of them does carry on business in
South Australia, and that they do not intend and none of them intends
to carry on business in that State, under the name "Yencken Glass" or
the name "Yencken Sandy Glass".
5. That the first respondent forthwith take all necessary steps
within its power and do all such things as may be necessary and within
its power to prevent the publication by each and every person or
corporation with whom the first respondent has a contract, arrangement
or understanding in relation to the publication or further publication
in any telephone, business or other directory or any other publication
of the name "Yencken Sandy Glass Industries".
6. That the first respondent cause a sealed copy of this Order
to be served on each of the persons and corporations referred to in
Order 5.
7. That each respondent deliver up to the Court for destruction
under the surveillance of the applicant or its nominated
representative all cards, letters, sheets, forms, brochures,
pamphlets, documents and other papers (excepting only the court
documents in this application and documents brought into existence for
the purpose of defending this proceeding) in the possession, power or
control of that respondent upon which appear the words "Yencken Sandy"
or the word "Yencken" or the word "Sandy".
26.
8. That Orders 1 to 7 inclusive shall commence to operate upon
the expiration of fourteen days from today.
9. That the applicant file and serve upon the respondents or
their solicitors within 21 days a document indicating whether it
wishes to pursue claims for damages pursuant to s. 82 of the Trade
Practices Act in relation to the breaches of ss. 52 and 53 of that Act
the subject of this proceedings and in relation to the tort of passing
off, and in the events that no such document is filed within that
period or that such document indicates that the claims for damages are
not to be pursued, the applicant's claims for damages shall stand
dismissed.
10. That the respondents pay the costs of the applicant of this
proceeding including any reserved costs.
11 Liberty is reserved to any party to apply on seven days'
notice.
I certify that this and the preceding
twenty-five (25) pages are a true copy
of the reasons for judgment herein of
the Honourable Mr. Justice Lockhart.
Associate AT Roc —
Date: 22 April 1988
27.
Counsel for the Applicant:
Solicitors for the Applicant:
Counsel for the Respondents:
Solicitors for the Respondents:
Dates of Hearing:
Date of Judgment:
Dr. C.N. Jessup Q.C.
with Mr. B. Caine
Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks
Mr. G.R. Anderson
with Mr. S.J. Howells
O'Hara Semmel & Co.
29 February, 1, 2 & 3 March 1988
22 April 1988