Bulun Bulun, John & Anor v R & T Textiles Pty Ltd [1998] FCA 1082

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Copyright – Aboriginal art – painting of cultural significance reproduced without consent – whether scope within Copyright Act for recognition of communal ownership of members of tribal group Equity – fiduciary relationships – whether creative author of artistic work a fiduciary in respect of tribal group – consequential obligations to protect artistic work Equity – express trusts – circumstances in which intention to create a trust can be inferred – whether trust created for the immediate beneficial enjoyment of members of the tribal group Customary law – admissibility of evidence – use to which evidence of collective ownership of artistic work by tribal group may be put Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) ss. 8, 10, 35(2) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) Part IVA Corporations Law ss.440D, 471B Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss. 74, 213(1) Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1978 (Cth) s4 Yumbulul v Reserve Bank of Australia (1991) 21 IPR 481 cited Milpurrurru v Indofurn Pty Ltd (1994) 54 FCR 240 cited Markt & Co Ltd v Knight Steamship Co. [1910] 2 KB 1021 cited Gaetjens v Arndale (Kilkenny) Pty Ltd [1969] SASR 470 cited Adams v Adams [1971] P 188 applied Yarmirr v Northern Territory of Australia (unreported, Federal Court, 4 April 1997) applied Mabo v The State of Queensland [No.2] (1992) 175 CLR 1 applied Tapgnuk v Northern Land Council (1996) 108 NTR 1 followed Mansell v Valley Printing Company [1908] 1 Ch. 567cited Britain v Hanks Bros and Co.(1902) 86 LT 765 cited Foster v Mountford and Rigby Ltd (1976) 14 ALR 71 cited Kenrick & Co v Lawrence & Co (1890) 25 QBD 99 cited Fylde Microsystems Limited v Kay Radio Systems Limited (1998) 39 IPR 481cited Coe v The Commonwealth (1993) 118 ALR 193cited Walker v New South Wales followed Wik Peoples v Queensland followed Registrar, Accident Compensation Tribunal v Commissioner of Taxation (1993) 178 CLR145 followed Garrett v L'Estrange (1911) 13 CLR 430 cited Gissing v Gissing [1971] AC 886 at 900 cited A-One Accessory Imports Pty Ltd v Off Road Imports Pty Ltd (1996) 143 ALR 543 cited Bahr v Nicolay No.2 (1988) 164 CLR 604 cited Delgmuukw v British Colombia (1997) 153 DLR (4th) 193 cited Leahy v Attorney-General (NSW) [1959] AC 475 cited Breen v Williams (1995-1996) 186 CLR 71 followed Hospital Products Ltd v United States Surgical Corporation (1984) 156 CLR 41 followed News Ltd v ARL (1996) 35 IPR 446 applied Hodgkinson v Simms (1994) 117 DLR (4th) 161 cited LAC Minerals Ltd v International Corona Resources Ltd (1989) 61 DLR (4th) 14cited Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Smith (1991) 102 ALR 453 cited Kwan v Nyieni (1959) 1 GLR 67cited BP Refinery (Western-Port) Pty Ltd v Shire of Hastings (1977) 180 CLR 266cited Missinglink Software v Magee [1989] 1 FSR 361 cited Acorn Computers Ltd v MCS Microcomputer Systems Pty Ltd (1984) 57 ALR 389 cited Matter No. DG3 of 1996 JOHN BULUN BULUN & ANOR v R & T TEXTILES PTY LTD VON DOUSSA J ADELAIDE (HEARD IN DARWIN) 3 SEPTEMBER 1998