Stack v Commissioner of Patents [1999] FCA 148

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Stack v Commissioner of Patents [1999] FCA 148 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - review of request for summary dismissal of opposition to an application - principles to be applied - general discretion for Court to refuse relief by way of judicial review. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - judicial power - whether power to award costs given to Commissioner of Patents is impermissible conferral of Federal judicial power on administrative body. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - PATENTS - application for extension of time to pay continuation fee in respect of a divisional patent application - principles to be applied. Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) s 10 and s 16 Patents Act 1990 (Cth) ss 39, 65, 142, 210, 211, 223, 227 Patents Regulations regs 5.1, 5.5, 6.3, 13.3, 22.1, 22.2, 22.8 General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner of Railways (NSW) (1964) 112 CLR 125 cited Kimberly-Clark Ltd v Commissioner of Patents (No 2) (1988) 13 IPR 569 applied Attorney-General (NSW) v Quin (1990) 170 CLR 1 applied Lamb v Moss (1983) 76 FLR 296 applied Bragg v Secretary, Department of Employment, Education and Training (1995) 59 FCR 31 cited Brandy v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1995) 183 CLR 245 applied R v Quinn; Ex parte Consolidated Food Corporation (1977) 138 CLR 1 applied R v Davison (1954) 90 CLR 353 cited Cominos v Cominos (1972) 127 CLR 588 applied Drake v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1979) 46 FLR 409 applied

GEORGE STACK & ANOR v COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS & ORS

QG 138 OF 1998

DRUMMOND J

24 FEBRUARY 1999

BRISBANE

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY QG 138 OF 1998

BETWEEN: GEORGE STACK

First Applicant

GS TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD

Second Applicant

AND: COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS

First Respondent