British-American Tobacco Company Ltd v Phillip Morris Ltd [1996] FCA 910

CATCHWORDS DISCOVERY AND INTERROGATORIES - discovery and inspection of documents - whether appropriate in Australian proceedings to limit discovery by reference to the term "unprivileged" as it appears in a letter of request issued by a foreign court - whether the ordinary rule that discovery require the listing of all relevant documents, both privileged and unprivileged, should be applied - whether category of documents requested for discovery relevant to obviousness under s 59(1) Patents Act 1952 - whether category of documents requested for discovery relevant to common general knowledge - whether opportunity to cross examine a party at a previous date relevant to categories of documents discoverable - consequences of failure to comply with directions as a result of a misunderstanding. PATENTS - patent applications - appeal and cross appeal from decision of Commissioner of Patents in opposition proceedings - discovery of documents - whether category of documents requested for discovery relevant to obviousness under s 59(1) Patents Act 1952 - whether category of documents requested for discovery relevant to common general knowledge

Patents Act 1952 s 59(1), s 40 Federal Court Rules O 15 r 15, O 15 r 2 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 199 Trade Practices Commission v CC (NSW) Pty Ltd (1995) 131 ALR 581 at 590 Prestige Group (Australia) Pty Ltd v Dart Industries Inc (1990) 95 ALR 533 Commonwealth of Australia v Northern Land Council (1991) 30 FCR 1 at 24, 25 Grant v Downs (1976) 135 CLR 674 Trade Practices Commission v Port Adelaide Wool Co Pty Ltd (1995) 60 FCR 366 Wellcome Foundation Limited v VR Laboratories (Aust) Pty Ltd (1981) 148 CLR 262 BRITISH‑AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY LIMITED v PHILIP MORRIS LIMITED No. NG 822 of 1994 CORAM: Lehane J PLACE: Sydney DATE: 21 October 1996

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA ) NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY ) GENERAL DIVISION ) No. NG 822 of 1994