Dias Aluminium Products Pty Ltd v Ullrich Aluminium Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1297

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Dias Aluminium Products Pty Ltd v Ullrich Aluminium Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1297 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – registered designs – components for wardrobe doors – whether registered designs invalid by reason of prior art or because not distinctive over fundamental form – whether registered designs novel or original – whether registered designs infringed. DESIGNS – infringement alleged in respect of components for wardrobe door – issues of obvious or fraudulent imitation. EVIDENCE –whether evidence of prior publication and prior use admissible.

Designs Act 1906 (Cth) ss 4(1), 18 (1), 17(1), 30(1) Designs Act 2003 (Cth) ss 151(3), 156(3) Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 65

A C Components Pty Ltd v Jadon Investments Pty Ltd & Ors (1992) 23 IPR 594 referred to Allen Manufacturing Co Pty Ltd v McCallum & Co Pty Ltd (2001) 53 IPR 400 referred to Allen West & Co Ltd v British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co Ltd [1916] 33 RPC 157 referred to Aspro-Nicholas Ltd's Design Application [1974] 91 RPC 645 referred to Australian Building Industries Pty Ltd v Woodman McDonald (Glass) Pty Ltd (1986) 84 FLR 454 referred to Autocaps (Aust) Pty Ltd v Pro-Kit Pty Ltd (1999) 46 IPR 339 cited Barker v Associated Manufacturers (Gowns and Mantles) Ltd [1933] 50 RPC 332 referred to Conrol Pty Ltd v Meco McCallum Pty Ltd & Ors (1996) 34 IPR 517 followed Conrol Pty Ltd v Meco McCallum Pty Ltd & Anor (1997) 80 FCR 264 followed Dalgety Australia Operations Ltd v F F Seeley Nominees Pty Ltd (1986) 10 FCR 403 followed Dart Industries Inc & Anor v Décor Corporation Pty Ltd (1989) 15 IPR 403 applied D Sebel & Co Ltd v National Art Metal Co Pty Ltd (1965) 10 FLR 224 followed Dunlop Rubber Co Ltd v Golf Ball Developments Ltd [1931] 48 RPC 268 followed General Tire & Rubber Co v Firestone Tyre & Rubber Co Ltd [1972] 89 RPC 457 referred to Firmagroup Australia Pty Ltd v Byrne & Davidson Doors (Vic) Pty Ltd (1987) 180 CLR 483 followed Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Pty Ltd v Avion Engineering Pty Ltd (1991) 22 IPR 1 followed Foggin v Lacey (2003) 57 IPR 225 followed Hill v Evans (1862) 31 LJ (Ch) 457 referred to Household Articles Ltd's Registered Design [1998] FSR 676 followed Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 referred to Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV v Remington Products Australia Pty Ltd (1999) 91 FCR 167 followed Le May v Welch (1883) 28 Ch D 24 followed Lewis Falk Ltd v Jacobwitz [1944] 61 RPC 116 referred to L J Fisher & Co Ltd v Fabtile Industries Pty Ltd (1979) 1A IPR 565 followed Macrae Knitting Mills Ltd v Lowes Ltd (1936) 55 CLR 725 followed Malleys Ltd v J W Tomlin Pty Ltd (1961) 180 CLR 120 applied Mangraviti v Vardi (1976) 28 FLR 173 followed Phillips v Harbro Rubber Co [1920] 37 RPC 233 followed Polyaire Pty Ltd v K-Aire Pty Ltd (2005) 79 ALJR 1205 followed Pressler & Co Ltd v Gartside & Co (of Manchester) Ltd & Widd Owen Ltd [1933] 50 RPC 240 referred to Rapee (J) & Co Pty Ltd v Kas Cushions Pty Ltd & Anor (1989) 15 IPR 577 followed Re Plackett's Registered Design [1892] 9 RPC 436 referred to Re Wolanski's Registered Design (1953) 88 CLR 278 applied Richsell Pty Ltd v Khoury (1994) 30 IPR 129 followed Rosedale Associated Manufacturers Ltd v Airfix Products Ltd [1957] 74 RPC 239 followed Simmons v Mathieson & Co Ltd [1911] 28 RPC 486 followed Tu v Pakway Australia Pty Ltd (t/as Pakway Plastics) (2004) 62 IPR 637 referred to Turbo Tek Enterprises Inc & Anor v Sperling Enterprises Pty Ltd (1989) 23 FCR 331 followed Wanem Pty Ltd v Tekiela (1990) 19 IPR 435 followed Wingate's Registered Design [1935] 52 RPC 126 followed DIAS ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS PTY LTD v ULLRICH ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS PTY LTD VID 123 of 2003 CRENNAN J 14 SEPTEMBER 2005 MELBOURNE