Hoover Co (Australia) Pty Ltd v Spackman [1999] FCA 70

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Hoover Co (Australia) Pty Ltd v Spackman [1999] FCA 70 TRADE MARKS – infringement – "Hoover" and "Hoovex" – whether substantially identical – whether deceptively similar – intentional selection of confusing name – inference that confusion in fact occurred – grant of quia timet injunction – previous use by a respondent company now in liquidation – whether respondent seeking to use name entitled to resist injunction on grounds of acquiescence Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) s 120 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 52 The Shell Co of Australia Ltd v Esso Standard Oil (Australia) Ltd (1963) 109 CLR 407 applied Australian Woollen Mills Ltd v F S Walton & Co Ltd (1937) 58 CLR 641 applied Wingate Marketing Pty Ltd v Levi Strauss & Co (1994) 49 FCR 89 applied Re G E Trademark [1973] RPC 297 applied

HOOVER COMPANY (AUSTRALIA) PTY LIMITED & ORS v JULIE ANNE SPACKMAN & ORS (NO. 2) NO. VG 732 of 1996 HEEREY J 17 FEBRUARY 1999 SYDNEY (HEARD IN MELBOURNE)

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY VG 732 of 1996

BETWEEN: HOOVER COMPANY (AUSTRALIA) PTY LIMITED (ACN 000 018 075)

First Applicant

SOUTHCORP APPLIANCES PTY LTD (ACN 008 292 395)

Second Applicant

HOOVER APPLIANCES (AUST) LTD (ACN 003 444 059)

Third Applicant

SOUTHCORP MANUFACTURING PTY LTD (ACN 004 253 605)

Fourth Applicant

SOUTHCORP HOLDINGS LIMITED (ACN 007 722 643)

Fifth Applicant

SOUTHCORP WHITEGOODS PTY LTD (ACN 004 419 210) Sixth Applicant

AND: JULIE ANNE SPACKMAN

First Respondent

DOMICOR HOLDINGS BV

Second Respondent

MAYTAG CORPORATION INC

Third Respondent