Microsoft Corp v Business Boost Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1384

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Microsoft Corp v Business Boost Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1384

COPYRIGHT - whether launching computer program for temporary storage and operation in Random Access Memory ("RAM") is a reproduction in a material form

TRADE MARKS – infringement – "WINDOWS", "MICROSOFT"

INTERLOCUTORY RELIEF – application for injunctions restraining respondent - reproduction, authorisation of reproduction, importation and distribution of computer programs - infringement or authorisation of infringement of trade marks - misrepresentations – whether serious questions of law and fact– exclusive right to reproduce literary work in material form – balance of convenience – delay – hardship – absence of threat – undertaking as to damages– whether transfer of program to hard disk is a reproduction in a material form

WORDS AND PHRASES – "controlling mind", "RAM" Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) ss 31(1)(a)(i), 36(1) Copyright Amendment (Computor Programs) Act 1999 (Cth) Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) Tesco Supermarkets Ltd v Nattrass [1972] AC 153, cited Data Access Corporation v Powerflex Services Pty Ltd [1999] HCA 49, cited WEA International Inc v Haminex Corporation Ltd (1987) 17 FCR 274, cited Dyason v AutoDesk Inc (1989) 18 IPR 109, cited

MICROSOFT CORPORATION AND MICROSOFT PTY LIMITED v BUSINESS BOOST PTY LIMITED, PERRY TAIT, PASSIONS PTY LIMITED AND THERESA MILOSEVIC N 244 OF 1999 TAMBERLIN J SYDNEY 8 OCTOBER 1999

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY N244 OF 1999

BETWEEN: MICROSOFT CORPORATION

First Applicant

MICROSOFT PTY LIMITED

Second Applicant

AND: BUSINESS BOOST PTY LIMITED

(ACN 070 654 732) trading as PERRY TAIT'S;

also trading as COMPUTER WHOLESALERS DIRECT

First Respondent

PERRY TAIT

Second Respondent