Nominet UK v Diverse Internet Pty Ltd [2004] FCA 1244

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Nominet UK v Diverse Internet Pty Ltd [2004] FCA 1244 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – copyright – infringement – authorisation – company director – instruction to employee to act under instructions of third party – consequential acts infringing copyright in database of domain name administrator – data mining – director's control of company employee – involvement in data mining activity and related scheme to send domain name registration notices to registrants identified by data mining – infringement by authorisation established TRADE PRACTICES – misleading or deceptive conduct – notices sent to registered users of domain names – false representations as to various matters conceded – implied representations as to sponsorship or approval by domain name administrator or affiliation with domain name administrator – accessorial liability – knowing concern in preparation and sending of notices – whether notices asserted rights to payment – services not provided – whether prohibition against assertion of right to payment applies in respect of unprovided services – no application to unprovided services Fair Trading Act 1987 (WA) s 10(1), s 12(1)(e) and (f) Fair Trading Act 1999 (Vic) s 9(1), s 12(e) and (f) Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) s 14, s 13, s 36 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Optell Pty Ltd (1998) 41 IPR 49 cited Domain Names Australia Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2004] FCAFC 247 cited Campomar Sociedad, Limitada v Nike International Limited (2000) 202 CLR 45 Desktop Marketing Systems Pty Ltd v Telstra Corporation Ltd (2002) 119 FCR 491 cited University of New South Wales v Moorhouse (1975) 133 CLR 1 applied WEA International Inc v Hanimex Corporation Ltd (1987) 17 FCR 274 cited Australian Tape Manufacturers Association Ltd v The Commonwealth (1993) 176 CLR 480 cited Nationwide News Pty Ltd v Copyright Agency Limited (1996) 65 FCR 399 cited Australian Performing Right Association Limited v Jain (1990) 26 FCR 53 cited Wells v John R Lewis (Industrial) Pty Ltd (1975) 25 FLR 194 cited Rizzo v Wall (unrep Fed Court, Pincus J, 25/11/87) cited Rizzo v Fitzgerald (1988) 19 FCR 175 cited .au Domain Administration Ltd v Domain Names Australia Pty Ltd [2004] FCA 424 followed NOMINET UK v DIVERSE INTERNET PTY LTD AND OTHERS N1040 OF 2003 FRENCH J 22 SEPTEMBER 2004 PERTH