Mycogen Plant Science Inc v Monsanto Australia Ltd [2002] FCA 613

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Mycogen Plant Science Inc v Monsanto Australia Ltd [2002] FCA 613

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – alleged infringement of patent – application for summary dismissal – general principles – where complex scientific issues – where differing approaches to construction of patent – where persons skilled in the art disagree as to significant technical issues – whether cross-examination appropriate on application for summary dismissal

Federal Court Rules, O 20, r 2(1)(a)

Mycogen Plant Science Inc v Monsanto Australia Ltd [2001] FCA 143 referred British Dynamite Company v Krebs (1896) 13 RPC 190 referred Décor Corporation Pty Ltd v Dart Industries Inc (1988) 13 IPR 385 referred Flexible Steel Lacing Company v Beltreco Ltd (2000) 49 IPR 331 referred Welcome Real-Time SA v Catuity Inc [2001] FCA 445 referred Nobel's Explosives Company Limited v Anderson (1894) 11 RPC 519 referred Rehm Pty Ltd v Websters Security Systems (International) Pty Ltd (1988) 81 ALR 79 referred Populin v HB Nominees Pty Ltd (1982) 41 ALR 471 referred Dey v Victorian Railways Commissioners (1949) 78 CLR 62 applied General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (NSW) (1964) 112 CLR 125 applied Fancourt v Mercantile Credits Ltd (1983) 154 CLR 87 referred Webster v Lampard (1993) 177 CLR 598 applied Fejo v Northern Territory of Australia (1998) 195 CLR 96 referred Wenlock v Moloney [1965] 1 WLR 1238 discussed Australian Building Industries Pty Ltd v Stramit Corporation Ltd [1997] FCA 1318 referred Sullivan v Henderson [1973] 1 All ER 49 referred MYCOGEN PLANT SCIENCE, INC. v MONSANTO AUSTRALIA LIMITED (ACN 006 725 560) & ANOR V 746 of 1999 KENNY J 13 MAY 2002 MELBOURNE

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY V 746 OF 1999

BETWEEN: MYCOGEN PLANT SCIENCE, INC.