Caterpillar Inc v John Deere Ltd [1999] FCA 517

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Caterpillar Inc v John Deere Ltd [1999] FCA 517 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – patents – patent for belted tractors – infringement action – application for leave to serve out of the jurisdiction parent company of Australian respondent – whether prima facie case of liability as joint tortfeasor or for authorisation – discretion to grant leave – postponement of issues against joined respondent Patents Act 1990 (Cth) s 13(1) Federal Court Rules O 8 r 2(2)(c) Federal Court Practice Note 14

Sydbank Soenderjylland A/S v Bannerton Holdings Pty Ltd (1996) 68 FCR 539 applied Intel Corporation v General Instrument Corporation (No.2) [1991] RPC 235 applied Lonrho Ltd v Shell Petroleum Co Ltd [1980] 1 WLR 672 cited Walker v Alemite Corporation (1933) 49 CLR 643 applied

Belegging-en Exploitatiemaatschappij Lavender BV v Witten Industrial Diamonds Ltd [1979] FSR 59 cited Best v Acquagas Marketing Pty Ltd (1988) 83 ALR 217 followed Sartas No. 1 Pty Ltd v Koukurou & Partners (1994) 30 IPR 479 cited Rescare Ltd v Anaesthetic Supplies Pty Ltd (1992) 111 ALR 205 cited Advanced Building Systems Pty Ltd v Ramset Fasteners Aust Pty Ltd (1995) ARPC 91-129 cited Bristol-Myers Squibb Co v F H Faulding & Co Pty Ltd (1998) 41 IPR 467 cited The Electric Furnace Co v Selas Corporation [1987] RPC 23 at 33 disapproved

CATERPILLAR INC. v JOHN DEERE LIMITED & ORS NO. VG 739 of 1997 HEEREY J 28 APRIL 1999 MELBOURNE

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY VG 739 of 1997

BETWEEN: CATERPILLAR INC.

Applicant

AND: JOHN DEERE LIMITED

First Respondent

QAS WHOLESALERS PTY LTD

Second Respondent

AGRO MACHINERY PTY LTD

Third Respondent

JUDGE: HEEREY J

DATE OF ORDER: 28 APRIL 1999