Pharmacia Italia S.p.A. v Interpharma Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1675

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Pharmacia Italia S.p.A. v Interpharma Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1675 PATENTS – interlocutory injunction – application for injunction in respect of threatened infringement of patent – claim that patent invalid – lack of novelty – obviousness – lack of manner of manufacture – lack of fair basis – false suggestion – whether serious issue to be tried – whether applicants for injunction would suffer irreparable harm for which damages would not be adequate compensation unless injunction granted – balance of convenience PATENTS – interlocutory injunction – application for injunction in respect of threatened infringement of patent – whether applicant has standing as exclusive licensee of patent Patents Act 1990 (Cth) ss 40, 120 Patents Act 1952 (Cth) s 6 Hexal Australia Pty Ltd v Roche Therapeutics Inc [2005] FCA 1218 cited Ex parte British Nylon Spinners Ltd; Re Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd (1963) 109 CLR 336 distinguished Grant v Australian Temporary Fencing Pty Ltd (2003) 59 IPR 170 discussed Pharmacia Italia S.p.A. v Mayne Pharma Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1078 discussed Wellcome Foundation Ltd v VR Laboratories (Aust) Pty Ltd (1981) 148 CLR 262 applied Tidy Tea Ltd v Unilever Australia Ltd (1995) 32 IPR 405 followed Beecham Group Ltd v Bristol Laboratories Pty Ltd (1968) 118 CLR 619 applied PHARMACIA ITALIA S.P.A. and PFIZER (PERTH) PTY LTD v INTERPHARMA PTY LTD VID 1137 OF 2005 SUNDBERG J MELBOURNE 23 NOVEMBER 2005

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY VID 1137 OF 2005

BETWEEN: PHARMACIA ITALIA S.P.A.

FIRST APPLICANT

PFIZER (PERTH) PTY LTD (ACN 051 824 956)

SECOND APPLICANT

AND: INTERPHARMA PTY LTD (ACN 099 877 899)

RESPONDENT JUDGE: SUNDBERG J

DATE OF ORDER: 23 NOVEMBER 2005