Microsoft Corporation v PC Club Australia Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1522

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Microsoft Corporation v PC Club Australia Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1522 COPYRIGHT – counterfeit certificates of authenticity (COAs) affixed to computers loaded with software onto hard disks thereof and accompanying restore compact disks – dispute as to ownership and subsistence of copyright in computer software – dispute as to standing of third Microsoft applicant to sue as exclusive licensee of first applicant – claim for damages for infringement of copyright – personal liability of appointed directors and de facto director – whether respondents had reasonable grounds for suspecting conduct involving purchase and use of COAs constituted infringement of copyright – flagrancy of infringements – injunctions – whether additional damages should be ordered – liability of directors in office as well as corporate infringer TRADE MARKS – registered trade marks appearing on computer software flat packs, associated media and on-screen – whether conduct involving breach of copyright also infringed trade marks – injunctions – whether damage sustained TRADE PRACTICES – whether conduct constituting infringement of copyright involved misleading and deceptive conduct – whether damage sustained Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) ss 31(1)(a)(i), 35, 36, 38(1), 115(2), 115(3), 115(4), 116, 119, 126A, 126B, 128, 184, and 196 Copyright Amendment (Parallel Importation) Act 2003 (Cth) Designs Act 1906 (Cth) Foreign Corporations (Applications of Laws Act) 1989 (Cth) Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 79 Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 52, 53(a), 53(a), 53(c) and 53(d) Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) s 12 Copyright (International Protection) Regulations 1969 (Cth) Federal Court Rules O 13 r 2 Kenrick v Lawrence (1890) 25 QBD 99 cited Microsoft Corporation v DHD Distribution Pty Ltd t/as Austin Computers (1999) 45 IPR 459 applied Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority (1982) 149 CLR 337 referred to Safe Sport Australia Pty Ltd v Puma Australia Pty Limited (1985) 4 IPR 120 referred to Reardon Smith Line Ltd v Ynguar Hansen-Tangen [1976] 1 WLR 989 referred to DTR Nominees v Mona Homes Pty Ltd (1978) 138 CLR 423 cited Cameron & Co v Slutzkin Pty Ltd (1923) 32 CLR 81 referred to Wood v Boosey (1868) LR. 3 QB. 223 referred to Fiscal Technology Co Ltd v Johnson (1991) 23 IPR 555 referred to Redwood Music Ltd v Chappell & Co Ltd [1982] RPC 109 cited Taypar Pty Ltd v Santic (1989) 21 FCR 485 discussed Dixon Projects Pty Ltd v Masterton Homes Pty Ltd (1996) 36 IPR 136 distinguished Global Brand Marketing Inc v Cube Footwear Pty Ltd (2005) 65 IPR 44 discussed Trendtex Trading Corp v Credit Suisse [1982] AC 679 applied Commonwealth v Mewett (1997) 191 CLR 471 cited Northern Territory v GPAO (1999) 196 CLR 553 referred to University of Wollongong v Metwally (1984) 158 CLR 447 cited Microsoft Corporation v Auschina Polaris (1996) 71 FCR 231 applied University of New South Wales v Moorhouse (1975) 133 CLR 1 cited Australasian Performing Rights Association v Tolbush Pty Ltd (1985) 82 FLR 52 cited Microsoft Corporation v Goodview Electronics Pty Ltd (2000) 49 IPR 578 referred to Henley Arch v Clarendon Homes (1998) 41 IPR 443 cited Wheeler Grace & Pierucci v Wright (1989) 16 IPR 189 applied Milwall v Olympic Amusements Pty Ltd (1989) 85 FCR 436 cited General Tyre & Rubber Co v Firestone Tyre & Rubber Co Ltd [1976] RPC 197 applied Autodesk v Cheung (1990) 17 IPR 69 discussed Microsoft Corporation v TYN Electronics Pty ltd (in liq) (2004) 63 IPR 137 discussed Microsoft Corporation v Glostar Pty Limited (2003) 57 IPR 518 distinguished Prior v Lansdowne Press Pty Ltd (1995) 29 FLR 59 cited Ravenscroft v Herbert & New English Library [1980] RPC 193 at 208 cited Microsoft Corporation v Atifo Pty Ltd (1997) 38 IPR 643 cited Raben Footwear Pty Ltd v Polygram Records Inc (1997) 75 FCR 88 discussed Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 referred to Ghazal v Government Insurance Office of New South Wales (1992) 29 NSWLR 336 cited Sheldon and Hammond Pty Ltd v Metrokane Inc (2004) 61 IPR 1 cited Namol Pty Ltd v AW Baulderstone Pty Ltd (1993) 27 IPR 1 cited Bailey v Namol Pty Ltd (1994) 53 FCR 102 cited Milpurrurru v Indofurn Pty Ltd (1994) 54 FCR 240 cited Microsoft Corporation v Ezy Loans (2004) 63 IPR 54 cited Sullivan v FNH Investments Pty Ltd (2003) 57 IPR 63 cited Autodesk Inc v Yee (1996) 35 IPR 415cited Amalgamated Mining Services Pty Ltd v Warman International Ltd (1992) 24 IPR 461 cited Thunderbird Products Corporation v Thunderbird Marine Products Pty Ltd (1974) 131 CLR 592 referred to Moorgate Tobacco Co Ltd v Philip Morris Ltd (No 2) (1984) 156 CLR 414 referred to National Australia Bank Ltd v Nobile (1988) 100 ALR 227 referred to