Advantage-Rent-A-Car Inc v Advantage Car Rental Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 683

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Advantage-Rent-A-Car Inc v Advantage Car Rental Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 683

Trade Marks – appeal from decision of a delegate of the Registrar of Trade Marks – opposition proceedings – grounds of opposition – whether registration of trade mark contrary to law – duties of Registrar of Trade Marks in determining whether a trade mark is contrary to law –use of trade mark would be a breach of applicant's copyright.

Costs – Registrar intervened in proceedings – whether costs order should be made against Registrar.

Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth), ss 42(b), 43, 58, 60, 88, 196. Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) ss 10(1), 14, 31(1)(b), 32(1), 32(4), 184(1)(c). Copyright (International Protection) Regulations 1969 (Cth), reg 4, Sch 1 Pt 1. Federal Court Rules, O58 r 3.

Jafferjee v Scarlett (1937) 57 CLR 115, cited Registrar of Trade Marks v Woolworths Ltd (1999) 45 IPR 411, cited Malibu Boats West Inc v Catanese [2000] AIPC 91-625, cited Karo Step Trade Mark [1977] RPC 255, cited British Northrop Ltd v Texteam Blackburn Ltd (1974) RPC 57, cited Roland Corporation v Lorenzo & Sons Pty Ltd (1991) 33 FCR 111, cited University of London Press Ltd v University Tutorial Press Ltd (1916) 2 Ch 601, cited Victoria Park Racing & Recreation Grounds Co Ltd v Taylor (1937) 58 CLR 479, cited Aussie Home Loans v Phillips (1998) 40 IPR 392, referred to Arthur Fairest Ld's Application to Register a Trade Mark (1951) 68 RPDTMC197, referred to Anheuser-Busch Incorporated v Castlebrae Pty Ltd (1991) 32 FCR 64, referred to R v Quinn; Ex parte Consolidated Foods Corporation (1977) 138 CLR 1, referred to The Sports Café Ltd v The Registrar of Trade Marks (1999) 42 IPR 552, distinguished Malibu Boats West Inc v Catanese, unreported, Finkelstein J, 31 August 2000, referred to ADVANTAGE-RENT-A-CAR INC v ADVANTAGE CAR RENTAL PTY LTD & ANOR N590 of 2000 MADGWICK J 8 JUNE 2001 SYDNEY