Johnson v Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd [2000] FCA 1555

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Johnson v Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd [2000] FCA 1555 PATENTS - appeal from decision refusing patent application – whether an inventive step – unknown and unexpected properties of known materials – appeal allowed – patent granted Patents Act 1990 (Cth) ss 60(4), s 234 Federal Court Rules, O58, r 8 Commissioner of Patents v Microcell Ltd (1959) 102 CLR 232, cited N.V. Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken v Mirabella International Pty Limited (1995) 183 CLR 655, cited National Research Development Corporation v Commissioner of Patents (1959) 102 CLR 252, followed RICHARD JOHN JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER RICHARD JOHNSON, STEPHEN ALEXANDER JOHNSON AND CHERYL NOELEEN JOHNSON v THE BROKENHILL PROPRIETARY COMPANY LIMITED (ACN 004 038 077), ORICA AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (ACN 004 117 828) (FORMERLY ICI AUSTRALIA OPERATION SPTY LTD AND TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES PTY LTD (ACN 002 183 557) QG 47 OF 1998 DOWSETT J 16 OCTOBER 2000 BRISBANE

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY QG 47 OF 1998

BETWEEN: RICHARD JOHN JOHNSON

FIRST APPLICANT

CHRISTOPHER RICHARD JOHNSON

SECOND APPLICANT

STEPHEN ALEXANDER JOHNSON

THIRD APPLICANT

CHERYL NOELEEN JOHNSON

FOURTH APPLICANT

AND: THE BROKEN HILL PROPRIETARY COMPANY LIMITED (ACN 004 038 077)

FIRST RESPONDENT

orica australia pty ltd (acn 004 117 828) (FORMERLY ICI AUSTRALIA OPERATIONS PTY LTD

SECOND RESPONDENT

TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES PTY LTD (ACN 002 183 557)

THIRD RESPONDENT

JUDGE: DOWSETT J

DATE OF ORDER: 16 OCTOBER 2000

WHERE MADE: BRISBANE

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1. The appeal be allowed.

THE COURT DECLARES THAT: 2. A patent should be granted to the appellants pursuant to application 651839.