Bristol-Myers Squibb Co v F.H. Faulding & Co Ltd [1998] FCA 860

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS – petty patents for administration of anti-cancer drug in specified range of dosage over specified periods – drug naturally occurring compound with known anti-cancer properties – whether invention – whether method of medical treatment of human body patentable – whether "generally inconvenient" – whether novel – whether obvious – whether fairly based – supply to doctors and hospitals with instructions as to dosage – whether authorisation of use – whether infringement N V Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken v Mirabella International Pty Ltd (1995) 183 CLR 655 applied Commissioner of Patents v Microcell Ltd (1959) 102 CLR 232 applied W R Grace & Co v Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (1993) 25 IPR 481 applied Van der Lely NV v Bamfords Ltd [1963] RPC 61 followed Nicaro Holdings Pty Ltd v Martin Engineering Co (1990) 91 ALR 513 applied Sharp & Dohme Inc v Boots Pure Drug Company Ltd (1927) 44 RPC 367 followed Re I G Farbenindustrie A G's Patent [1930] 42 RPC 289 followed Anaesthetic Supplies Pty Ltd v Rescare Ltd (1994) 50 FCR 1 discussed Anaesthetic Supplies Pty Ltd v Rescare Ltd (1992) 25 IPR 119 followed Maeder v Busch (1938) 59 CLR 684 mentioned National Research Development Corporation v Commissioner of Patents (1959) 102 CLR 52 mentioned Joos v Commissioner of Patents (1972) 126 CLR 611 mentioned Advanced Building Systems Pty Ltd v Ramset Fastners (Aust) Pty Ltd (1998) 152 ALR 604 mentioned Wellcome Foundation Ltd v Commissioner of Patents [1983] NZLR 385 followed Meyers Taylor Pty Ltd v Vicarr Industries Ltd (1977) 137 CLR 228 at 235 applied Hill v Evans (1862) 31 LJ Ch 457 at 453,4 De G F & J 288, 45 ER 1195 applied Martin and Biro Swan Ltd v H Millwood Ltd [1956] RPC 125 applied Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co v Beiersdorf (Australia) Ltd (1980) 144 CLR 253 mentioned The Australian Gas Light Company v The Valuer-General (1940) 40 SR (NSW) 126 mentioned CCOM Pty Ltd v Jiejing Pty Ltd (1994) 51 FCR 260 applied Falcon v Famous Players Film Co [1926] 2 KB 474 discussed Walker v Alemite Corporation (1933) 49 CLR 643 applied CCOM Pty Ltd v Jeijing Pty Ltd (1993) 27 IPR 577 followed Firth Industries v Polyglas Engineering Pty Ltd (1975) 132 CLR 489 mentioned Ryan v Lum (1989) 14 IPR 513 followed Monckton v Pathé Frčres Pathephone Ltd [1914] 1 KB 395 discussed Evans v Hulton & Co Ltd [1924] WN 30 mentioned Patents Act 1990 (Cth) ss 13(1), 18(1), 40, 117 Statute of Monopolies 1623 (Imp) s 6 BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY v F H FAULDING & CO LIMITED NO. VG 109 OF 1995 JUDGE: HEEREY J DATE: 22 JULY 1998 PLACE: MELBOURNE