F Hoffmann-La Roche AG v Chiron Corp [2000] FCA 346

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG v Chiron Corp [2000] FCA 346 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE ) PATENTS ) – discovery in a revocation suit in respect of a patent – general principles – appropriate discovery in relation to issues of obviousness and sufficiency – novelty, fair basis and false suggestion – discovery in a proceeding involving amendment distinguished – the Court's discretion – whether discovery should be ordered of documents generated in other jurisdictions – desirability of "group" discovery where a multi-national group of companies is concerned – date to which discovery should be ordered in relation to (a) obviousness; (b) sufficiency – effect of too wide demand for discovery. Federal Court Rules, Order 15 r 3 Murex Diagnostics Australia Pty Limited v Chiron Corporation (1995) 55 FCR 194 applied Murex Diagnostics Australia Pty Ltd v Chiron Corporation (No 2) (1995) 62 FCR 424 applied Wimmera Industrial Minerals Pty Ltd v RGC Mineral Sands Ltd (Mansfield J, 30 March 1998, unreported) applied Temmler v Knoll Laboratories (Australia) Pty Ltd (1969) 43 ALJR 363 applied Intalite International NV v Cellular Ceilings Ltd (No 1) [1987] RPC 532 applied Avery Ld v Ashworth, Son & Co Ld (1915) 32 RPC 463 applied Unilever plc v Chefaro Proprietaries Ltd [1994] FSR 135 referred to Dart Industries Inc v Prestige Group (Australia) Pty Ltd (Ashley J, Supreme Court of Victoria, 4 November 1991, unreported) applied The Wellcome Foundation Limited v V.R. Laboratories (Aust) Proprietary Limited (1981) 148 CLR 262 applied Schering Agrochemicals Ltd v ABM Chemicals Ltd [1987] RPC 185 applied Haslam Co v Hall (1888) 5 RPC 1 applied Vickers plc v Horsell Graphic Industries Ltd [1988] RPC 421 referred to Sabre Corporation Pty Ltd v Russ Kalvin's Hair Care Company (1993) 46 FCR 428 referred to Burgundy Royale v Westpac Banking Corporation (Foster J, 21 February 1990, unreported) referred to Kimberly-Clark Australia Pty Ltd v Carter Holt Harvey Tissue Australia Ltd (1997) 37 IPR 293 referred to Molnlycke AB v Procter & Gamble Ltd (No 3) [1990] RPC 498 referred to Rescare Ltd v Anaesthetic Supplies Pty Ltd (1992) 111 ALR 205 referred to Anaesthetic Supplies Pty Ltd v Rescare Ltd (1994) 50 FCR 1 referred to Cave Holdings Pty Ltd v Taperline Pty Ltd (1985) 4 IPR 476 referred to Wimmera Industrial Minerals Pty Ltd v RGC Mineral Sands Ltd (1997) 40 IPR 110 referred to Re Hsiung's Patent [1992] RPC 497 referred to Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd v Carr's Paper Ltd [1989] RPC 713 referred to F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG v CHIRON CORPORATION & ANOR NG 1029 of 1997 BURCHETT J 24 MARCH 2000 SYDNEY