Aristocratic Leisure Industries Pty Ltd v Pacific Gaming Ltd [2000] FCA 1273

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd v Pacific Gaming Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 1273

intellectual property – copyright – whether written specifications for the operation of poker machines could be original literary works – whether the specifications were a product of the applicant's work, or simply reflected a common industry standard INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – copyright – dramatic works - whether written specifications for the operation of poker machines could constitute original dramatic works – whether the video display could constitute a cinematograph film INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – copyright – infringement – whether respondent's poker machines infringed the applicant's copyright in the written specifications for its poker machines – where the games were substantially similar – where the respondent pursued a policy of collecting and analysing competitors' games WORDS AND PHRASES – "scenario" - "choreography"- "cinematograph film" - "dramatic work" Copyright Act 1968 ss 10(1), 13 and 31 Olympic Amusements Pty Limited v Milwell Pty Limited (1998) 81 FCR 403 cited Exxon Corporation v Exxon Insurance Consultants International Ltd [1982] Ch 119 cited Computer Edge Pty Limited v Apple Corporation Inc (1986) 161 CLR 171 cited Ladbroke (Football) Ltd v William Hill (Football) Ltd [1964] 1 WLR 273 cited Sega Enterprises Ltd v Galaxy Electronics Pty Ltd (1996) 69 FCR 269 distinguished Galaxy Electronics Pty Ltd v Sega Enterprises Ltd (1977) 75 FCR 8 distinguished Australasian Performing Rights Association Ltd v Telstra Corp Ltd (1995) 131 ALR 141 cited Nintendo Co Ltd v Golden China TV-Game Centre (1993) 28 IPR 313 distinguished Copinger & Scone James On Copyright 14th ed. 1999 ARISTOCRAT LEISURE INDUSTRIES PTY LIMITED v PACIFIC GAMING PTY LIMITED NG 1049 OF 1998 TAMBERLIN J SYDNEY 8 SEPTEMBER 2000