Eagle Homes Pty Ltd v Austec Homes Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 138

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Eagle Homes Pty Ltd v Austec Homes Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 138 COPYRIGHT – infringement – floor plans of project homes – reproduction of whole or substantial part – whether sufficient similarity between copyright plan and allegedly infringing plan – whether case one of copying of whole or of substantial part – meaning of "substantial part" – degree of protection to be afforded to floor plans of project homes – relevance of common features possessed by such plans – two aspects of reproduction, that is, subjective copying and sufficient objective similarity – relevance of finding of actual copying – distinction between idea and expression – role of appellate court in reviewing finding of trial judge that plans not sufficiently similar to amount to "reproduction".

Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) ss 14(1), 31(1)(b)(i) S W Hart & Co Pty Ltd v Edwards Hot Water Systems (1985) 159 CLR 466, referred to Beck v Montana Constructions Pty Ltd [1964-5] NSWR 229, considered Lend Lease Homes Pty Ltd v Warrigal Homes Pty Ltd [1970] 3 NSWLR 265, referred to Ancher Mortlock Murray & Woolley Pty Ltd v Hooker Homes Pty Ltd [1971] 2 NSWLR 278, applied Dixon Investments Pty Ltd v Hall (1990) 18 IPR 481 (FCA/Pincus J), referred to University of London Press Ltd v University Tutorial Press Ltd [1916] 2 Ch 601, considered Ladbroke (Football) Ltd v William Hill (Football) Ltd [1964] 1 WLR 273, considered Autodesk Inc v Dyason [No 2] (1993) 176 CLR 300, referred to Warwick Film Productions Ltd v Eisinger [1969] 1 Ch 508, distinguished Dixon Investments Pty Ltd v Hall (1990) 18 IPR 490 (FC), referred to Ownit Homes Pty Ltd v Mancuso Investments Pty Ltd (1988) AIPC 90-488, referred to LED Builders Pty Ltd v Masterton Homes (NSW) Pty Ltd (1994) 30 IPR 447, considered Kenrick & Co v Lawrence & Co (1890) 25 QBD 99, distinguished Beazley Homes Ltd v Arrowsmith [1978] 1 NZLR 394, considered Hanfstaengl v Baines & Co [1895] AC 20, referred to MacMillan & Co Ltd v Cooper (1923) 40 TLR 186, considered Blackie & Sons Ltd v Lothian Book Publishing Co Pty Ltd (1921) 29 CLR 396, applied Commissioner of Taxation v Chubb Australia Ltd (1995) 56 FCR 557 at 560, referred to Biogen Inc v Medeva PLC [1997] RPC 1 at 45, referred to Esso Australia Resources Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (1998) 98 ATC 4768 at 4779 referred to S & I Publishing Pty Ltd v Australian Surf Lifesaver Pty Ltd (1999) ATPR 41-667 at 42,505, referred to Preston Erection Pty Limited v Speedy Gantry Hire Pty Limited [1998] FCA 1615 at 9-10, referred to Beneficial Finance Corporation Ltd v Karavas (1991) 23 NSWLR 256, referred to George Mitchell (Chesterhall Ltd) v Finney Lock Seeds Ltd [1983] 2 AC 803 at 816, referred to Devries v Australian National Railways Commission (1993) 177 CLR 472 at 479, referred to Warren v Coombes (1979) 142 CLR 531, referred to Coghlan v Cumberland [1898] 1 Ch 704 at 704-5, referred to Bradbury v Hotten (1872) 8 LR Ex 1, referred to Chappell & Co Ltd v DC Thompson & Co Ltd [1928-35] MacG Cop Cas 467, referred to