Seven Network (Operations) Limited v Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance [2004] FCA 637

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Seven Network (Operations) Limited v Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance [2004] FCA 637 PRIVACY – whether polling of employees by call centre on behalf of a union a breach of National Privacy Principles by either – if so whether private right of action COURTS – Federal Court – scope of jurisdiction pursuant to Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) COPYRIGHT – whether copyright in internal company telephone directory – whether annotation of directory breach of copyright – whether use of annotated directory to create electronic database breach of copyright – whether a case for additional damages or account of profit WORKPLACE RELATIONS – whether telephone polling of employees on behalf of a union during postal voting for s 170LK Agreement done with intent to coerce – whether proceeding instituted vexatiously or without reasonable cause COSTS – where proceedings instituted under Workplace Relations Act against one party – further party added and other federal causes of action added – effect of s 347 of Workplace Relations Act Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), ss 14(1)(b), 31(1)(a)(i), 36(1), 115(4), 116 Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), ss 6A, 6B, 16A(2), 55A, 98, Schedule 3 Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) ss 170LK, 170NC, 347 Day v Lynn [2003] FCA 879 distinguished Desktop Marketing Systems Pty Ltd v Telstra Corporation Ltd (2002) 119 FCR 491 followed Finance Sector Union of Australia v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (2000) 106 FCR 16 cited Heidt v Chrysler Australia Ltd (1976) 26 FLR 257 at 272cited Kanan v Australian Postal and Telecommunications Union (1992) 43 IR 257 cited Maritime Union of Australia v Geraldton Port Authority (2000) 94 IR 404 distinguished National Tertiary Education Industry Union v Commonwealth (2002) 117 FCR 114 cited National Union of Workers v Qenos Pty Ltd (2001) 106 IR 373 cited Thompson v Hodder (1989) 21 FCR 467 cited Truth About Motorways Pty Limited v Macquarie Infrastructure Investment Management Limited (2000) 200 CLR 591 referred to SEVEN NETWORK (OPERATIONS) LIMITED v MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT AND ARTS ALLIANCE AND ACTU MEMBER CONNECT PTY LTD (ACN 057 551 970) N 789 OF 2003 GYLES J 21 MAY 2004 SYDNEY