Aktiebolaget Hassle v Alphapharm Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1394

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Aktiebolaget Hässle v Alphapharm Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1394 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – patents – pharmaceutical formulation – infringement – combination patent – whether, assuming patent to be valid, respondent has taken each essential integer, or mechanical equivalent thereof, of patentee's claim

WORDS AND PHRASES – "mechanical equivalents"

Nicaro Holdings Pty Ltd v Martin Engineering Co (1990) 91 ALR 513 applied

AKTIEBOLAGET HÄSSLE AND ASTRA PHARMACEUTICALS PTY LIMITED v ALPHAPHARM PTY LIMITED

NG 884 OF 1998

LEHANE J

SYDNEY

12 OCTOBER 1999

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY NG 884 OF 1998

BETWEEN: AKTIEBOLAGET HÄSSLE

First Applicant

ASTRA PHARMACEUTICALS PTY LIMITED

(ACN 009 682 311)

Second Applicant

AND: ALPHAPHARM PTY LIMITED

(ACN 002 359 739)

Respondent

ALPHAPHARM PTY LIMITED

(ACN 002 359 739)

Cross‑Claimant

AKTIEBOLAGET HÄSSLE

First Cross‑Respondent

ASTRA PHARMACEUTICALS PTY LIMITED

(ACN 009 682 311)

Second Cross‑Respondent

JUDGE: LEHANE J

DATE: 12 OCTOBER 1999

PLACE: SYDNEY

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT [Note: This is an edited version of reasons for judgment delivered, initially, on a confidential basis. It incorporates certain changes, the purpose of which is to avoid public disclosure of information claimed to be confidential. The changes do not affect the substance of the reasons] 1 The nature of this proceeding and the issues in it are described in reasons for judgment, published 12 May 1999, dealing with a cross‑claim for revocation of the patent in suit. Those reasons should be read with these; I shall refer in these reasons, in the same way as in the published reasons, to the parties, the patent, the Alphapharm product and other matters.