Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Limited v SC Johnson & Son Pty Limited [2004] FCA 1237

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Limited v SC Johnson & Son Pty Limited [2004] FCA 1237 TRADE PRACTICES ACT – misleading and deceptive conduct – multi-national competitors in sale by retail of consumer household products to general public – comparative television advertising by one competitor of product claims – similar claims made on product packaging – dispute mirrored controversies between related companies in United States – substantial body of international and local expert evidence – comparative advertising – misleading and deceptive conduct not established Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 52 and 53(c) Authorities referred to: Sterling Winthrop Pty Ltd v R & C Products Pty Ltd (1994) ATPR 41-308 Telstra Corporation Ltd v Optus Communications Pty Ltd (1996) 36 IPR 515 Bristol-Myers Squib Australia Pty Ltd v Astra Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd (1999) 45 IPR 144 Tobacco Institute of Australia Ltd v Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations Inc (1992) 38 FCR 1 Stuart Alexander & Co (Interstate) Pty Ltd v Blenders Pty Ltd (1981) 37 ALR 161 Sterling Winthrop Pty Ltd v Boots Co (Aust) Pty Ltd (1995) 32 IPR 361 Hoover (Aust) Pty Ltd v Email Ltd (1991) 104 ALR 369 Duracell Australia Pty Ltd v Union Carbide Australia Ltd (1988) 14 IPR 293 Gillette Australia Pty Ltd v Energizer Australia Pty Ltd (2002) 56 IPR 1 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation v The South Australian Brewery Co Ltd (1996) 66 FCR 451 Red Bull Australia Pty Ltd v Sydneywide Distributors Pty Ltd (2001) 53 IPR 481 Janssen Pharmaceutical Pty Ltd v Pfizer Pty Ltd (1986) ATPR 40-654 Makita (Aust) Pty Ltd v Black & Decker (Australasia) Pty Ltd (1990) 18 IPR 2870 Campomar Sociedad Limitada v Nike International Limited (2000) 202 CLR 45 Annad & Thompson Pty Ltd v Trade Practices Commission (1979) 40 FLR 165 Lumley Life Ltd v Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Victoria Friendly Society (1989) 16 IPR 316 Trade Practices Commission v Telstra Corporation Limited (1993) ATPR 41-256 Colgate Palmolive Pty Ltd v Rexona Pty Ltd (1981-1982) 58 FLR 391 Bridge Stockbrokers Ltd v Bridges (1984) 4 FCR 460 Murray Goulburn Co-Operation Co Ltd v New South Wales Dairy Corporation (1990) 92 ALR 239 RECKITT BENCKISER (AUSTRALIA) PTY LIMITED v SC JOHNSON & SON PTY LIMITED N1147 OF 2004 CONTI J 21 SEPTEMBER 2004 SYDNEY