Pacific Publications Pty Ltd v IPC Media Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 104

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Pacific Publications Pty Ltd v IPC Media Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 104

TRADE MARKS – whether respondent's mark is deceptively similar to applicant's mark – question of fact and matter of impression – whether expert evidence is admissible on such matters of impression – weight to be given to such evidence – unusual syntax in applicant's mark an essential part of that mark's capacity to distinguish the applicant's goods – respondent's mark lacking that unusual syntax not deceptively similar. TRADE PRACTICES – Trade Practices Act 1975 (Cth) – s 53 claim subsumed in s 52 claim – the Court must consider the whole of the respondent's conduct – respondent's conduct, considered as a whole, likely to mislead or deceive consumers. Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 52, 53 Anheuser-Busch Inc v Budejovicky Budvar (2002) AIPC 91 – 789 applied Australian Woollen Mills Ltd v F S Walton & Co Ltd (1937) 58 CLR 641 applied Berlei Hestia Industries Ltd v Bali Co Inc (1973) 129 CLR 353 applied Campomar Sociedad, Limitada v Nike International Ltd (2000) 202 CLR 45 cited Coca-Cola Co v All-Fect Distributors Ltd (1999) 96 FCR 107 cited de Cordova v Vick Chemical Co (1951) 68 RPC 103 cited MID Sydney Pty Limited v Australian Tourism Co Ltd (1998) 90 FCR 236 cited Parker-Knoll Ltd v Knoll International Ltd [1961] RPC 346 cited Pianotist Company's Application (1906) 23 RPC 774 cited Shell Co of Australia Ltd v Esso Standard Oil (Australia) Ltd (1963) 109 CLR 407 applied S & I Publishing Pty Ltd v Australian Surf Life Saver Pty Ltd (1998) 88 FCR 354 cited Southern Cross Refrigerating Co v Toowoomba Foundry Pty Ltd (1954) 91 CLR 592 cited Taco Company of Australia Inc v Taco Bell Pty Ltd (1982) 42 ALR 177 cited Wingate Marketing Pty Ltd v Levi Strauss & Co (1994) 49 FCR 89 cited PACIFIC PUBLICATIONS PTY LIMITED v IPC MEDIA PTY LIMITED NO. N 1277 OF 2002 BEAUMONT J 24 FEBRUARY 2003 SYDNEY