Conquip Holdings Pty Ltd v S & A Restaurant Corp [2000] FCA 256

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Conquip Holdings Pty Ltd v S & A Restaurant Corp [2000] FCA 256

TRADE MARKS – application for removal on ground of non-use – marks for restaurant services and associated goods comprising or including the name "Bennigan's" – respondent the operator of a large United States restaurant chain under that name – applicant the operator of an Australian restaurant "Bennigans" – whether applicant a "person aggrieved" – whether bona fides of applicant relevant – if relevant, whether applicant lacking in bona fides – whether prima facie case – whether non-use – whether discretion not to remove should be exercised – assertion that requirement to use name would be "commercially unreasonable" by reason of large expenditure on the kind of restaurants operated by respondent – removal of non distinctive marks after ten years under Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) s 88(2)(d) – whether provision applies to mark registered under Trade Marks Act 1955 (Cth) Trade Marks Act 1955 (Cth) ss 23(1)(b), 24, 25 Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) ss 88(2)(d), 92

The Ritz Hotel Ltd v Charles of the Ritz Ltd (1988) 15 NSWLR 158 at 193 applied Kraft General Foods Inc v Gaines Pet Foods Corporation (1996) 65 FCR 104 at 112 applied Powell v Birmingham Brewery Co Ltd [1894] AC 8 at 12 applied Estex Clothing Manufacturers Pty Limited v Ellis and Goldstein Ltd (1967) 116 CLR 254 at 258 applied Continental Liqueurs Pty Ltd v G F Heublein and Bro Incorporated (1960) 103 CLR 422 at 433 applied Paine v Daniel (1893) 10 RPC 217 at 232 mentioned Bright Times Music Corp v Harrisons Music Ltd 420 F Supp 177 (1976) mentioned Moorgate Tobacco Co Ltd v Philip Morris Ltd (No 2) (1984) 156 CLR 414 applied Settef SpA v Riv-Oland Marble Co (Vic) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 IPR 402 at 417 applied J Lyons & Co. Ltd's Application [1959] RPC 120 at 130 mentioned Hermes Trade Mark [1982] RPC 425) mentioned Paragon Shoes Pty Ltd v Paragini Distributors (NSW) Ltd (1988) 13 IPR 323 mentioned