Henley Arch Pty Ltd & Anor v Clarendon Homes (Aust) Pty Ltd & Anor [1998] FCA 863

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA COPYRIGHT – architectural plans for project home – whether copyright subsists in the plans and in the home – whether respondent's project home, and architectural plans and brochures relating to that home, an infringement of applicant's copyright – discussion of relevant principles – liability of director of respondent company for infringing conduct – "authorisation" under s 36 of Copyright Act – liability as a tortfeasor

Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) s 21(3), 35(2), 36(1) and 129(1)(a)

Ancher, Mortlock, Murray & Woolley Pty Ltd v Hooker Homes Pty Ltd [1971] 2 NSWLR 278 cited LED Builders Pty Ltd v Masterton Homes (NSW) Pty Ltd (1994) 30 IPR 447 cited LED Builders Pty Ltd v Eagle Homes Pty Ltd (1996) 35 IPR 215 cited Eagle Homes Pty Ltd v Austec Homes Pty Ltd (1997) 39 IPR 565 considered and applied Interlego AG v Croner Trading Pty Ltd (1992) 39 FCR 348 applied Ladbroke (Football) Ltd v William Hill (Football) Ltd [1964] 1 WLR 273 applied Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 distinguished Raben Footwear Pty Ltd v Polygram Records Inc (1997) 75 FCR 88 cited ACCC v J McPhee & Son (Australia) Pty Ltd (Federal Court of Australia, 26 February 1998, unreported) considered Francis Day & Hunter Ltd v Bron [1963] Ch 587 cited S W Hart & Co Pty Ltd v Edwards Hot Water Systems (1985) 159 CLR 466 applied Dixon Investments Pty Ltd v Hall (1990) 18 IPR 481 applied Beck v Montana Constructions Pty Ltd [1964-1965] NSWR 229 cited Australasian Performing Right Association Limited v Jain (1990) 26 FCR 53 applied The Corporation of the City of Adelaide v Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd (1928) 40 CLR 481 cited University of New South Wales v Moorhouse (1975) 133 CLR 1 cited Microsoft Corporation v Auschina Polaris Pty Ltd (1996) 71 FCR 231 considered

HENLEY ARCH PTY LTD AND ANOTHER v CLARENDON HOMES (AUST) PTY LTD AND ANOTHER VG 895 of 1995 JUDGE: MERKEL J DATE: 24 JULY 1998 PLACE: MELBOURNE