Kabushiki Kaisha Sony Computer Entertainment v Stevens [2002] FCA 906

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Kabushiki Kaisha Sony Computer Entertainment v Stevens [2002] FCA 906 TRADE MARKS – sale of unauthorised copies of computer games – reproduction of electronic representations of trade marks – whether infringement of trade marks. FAIR TRADING – sale of unauthorised copies of computer games – whether respondent represented that the copies had the sponsorship, approval or affiliation of the applicants. COPYRIGHT – Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), s 116A – "technological protection measure" – "circumvention device" – computer games contain an access code – games can be played on console only if the access code is recognised by a Boot ROM – whether the access code and Boot ROM constitute a "technological protection measure" within s 10(1) of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) – whether the device is "designed, in the ordinary course of its operation, to prevent or inhibit the infringement of copyright" – whether it is enough for a device to deter or discourage copyright infringement – whether a substantial part of the game's computer program is reproduced in the console's RAM – whether part of the program is reproduced "in a material form". Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), ss 10, 21(6), 21(1A), 24, 31, 36(1), 37, 38, 47AB, 47B, 47C, 52, 86(a), 98(2), 116A, 116D, 131, 132(5B) Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth), ss 120, 122 Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000 (Cth) Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW), ss 42, 44, 49 Copyright Amendment (Parallel Importation) Bill 2002 (Cth) Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Bill 1999 (Cth) Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda Bill) 2000 (Cth) Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (UK), s 296 Copyright Act (17 USC § 101) WIPO Copyright Treaty 1996, art 11 WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty 1996, art 18 Directive on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the Information Society (Directive 2001/29/EC) Kabushiki Kaisha Sony Computer Entertainment v Stevens [2001] FCA 1379, cited. Galaxy Electronics Pty Ltd v Sega Enterprises Ltd (1997) 75 FCR 8, followed. Sony Computer Entertainment Aust Pty Ltd v Jakopcevic [2001] FCA 1520, cited. Autodesk Inc v Dyason (No 1) (1992) 173 CLR 330, cited. Australian Video Retailers Association Ltd v Warner Home Video Pty Ltd (2001) 52 IPR 242, followed. Autodesk Inc v Dyason (No 2) (1993) 176 CLR 300, cited. Sony Computer Entertainment v Owen [2002] EWHC 45, cited. MAI Systems Corporation v Peak Computer Inc 991 F2d 511 (9th Cir 1993), distinguished. Intellectual Reserve, Inc v Utah Lighthouse Ministry, Inc 75 F Supp 2d 1290 (D Utah 2000), distinguished. Ladbroke (Football) Ltd v William Hill (Football) Ltd [1964] 1 WLR 273, cited. Data Access Corporation v Powerflex Services Pty Ltd (1999) 202 CLR 1, cited. Desktop Marketing Systems Pty Ltd v Telstra Corporation Limited [2002] FCAFC 112, cited. Dyason v Autodesk Inc (1990) 24 FCR 147, distinguished. Microsoft Corporation v Business Boost Pty Ltd (2000) 49 IPR 573, distinguished. Bank of Western Australia Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (1994) 55 FCR 233, cited. Computer Edge Pty Ltd v Apple Computer Inc (1986) 161 CLR 171, cited. Sega Enterprises Ltd v Galaxy Electronics Pty Ltd (1996) 69 FCR 268, cited.