Pfizer Products Inc v Karam [2006] FCA 1663

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Pfizer Products Inc v Karam [2006] FCA 1663

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – trade marks – 'VIAGRA' – reputation in Australia – 'HERBAGRA' deceptively similar to and likely to deceive or cause confusion – appeal allowed INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – trade marks – whether reputation should be taken into account in relation to s 44 of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) – if not, marks not deceptively similar INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – trade marks – mark not likely to deceive or cause confusion because of connotation INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – trade marks – standard of proof in appeal from opposition proceedings – opponent must establish ground of opposition – no need to 'clearly' establish ground Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) ss 43, 44, 55, 56, 60 Austereo Pty Ltd v DMG Radio (Australia) Pty Ltd (2004) 209 ALR 93; (2004) 61 IPR 257; (2004) AIPC 92-016 cited Australian Woollen Mills Limited v F S Walton and Company Limited (1937) 58 CLR 641 applied Babaniaris v Lutony Fashions Pty Ltd (1987) 163 CLR 1 followed Berlei Hestia Industries Limited v The Bali Company Inc (1973) 129 CLR 353 applied Blount Inc v Registrar of Trade Marks (1998) 83 FCR 50 cited BP plc v Woolworths Ltd (2004) 212 ALR 79; (2004) 62 IPR 545; (2004) AIPC 92-036 cited Cadbury Schweppes Pty Ltd v Darrell Lea Chocolate Shops Pty Ltd (2006) 228 ALR 719 followed CA Henschke & Co v Rosemount Estates Pty Ltd (2000) 52 IPR 42; (2000) AIPC 91-640; (2001) ATPR 41-793; [2000] FCA 1539 referred to Campomar Sociedad Limitada and Another v Nike International Limited and Another (1999) 202 CLR 45 cited Caterpillar Loader Hire (Holdings) Pty Ltd v Caterpillar Tractor Co (1983) 48 ALR 511; (1983) 1 IPR 265; (1983) 77 FLR 139 referred to Clinique Laboratories Inc v Luxury Skin Care Brands Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 1517; (2003) 61 IPR 130; (2004) AIPC 91-957 cited Coca-Cola Company v All-Fect Distributors Ltd (1999) 96 FCR 107 cited Cooper Engineering Company Proprietary Limited v Sigmund Pumps Limited (1952) 86 CLR 536 applied F Hoffman-La Roche AG v New England Biolabs Inc (2000) 99 FCR 56 – discussed Hack, Re Application to Register a Trade Mark (1940) 58 RPC 91 cited Health World Ltd v Shin-Sun Australia Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 5;(2005) 64 IPR 495; (2005) AIPC 92-059 – discussed John v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1989) 166 CLR 417 followed Kowa Company Ltd v NV Organon (2005) 223 ALR 27; (2005) 66 IPR 131; (2005) AIPC 92-131 discussed Lomas v Winton Shire Council [2002] FCAFC 413; (2003) AIPC 91-839 distinguished McCorquodale v Masterson [2004] FCA 1247; (2004) 63 IPR 582; (2004) AIPC 92-033 cited McIlhenny Co v Blue Yonder Holdings Pty Ltd formerly t/as Tabasco Design (1997) 149 ALR 496; (1997) 39 IPR 187 distinguished MID Sydney Pty Ltd v Australian Tourism Co Ltd (1998) 90 FCR 236 cited NEC Corporation v Punch Video (S) Pte Ltd (2005) 67 IPR 17; (2005) AIPC 92-129; [2005] FCA 1126 cited New England Biolabs Inc v F Hoffman-La Roche AG (2004) 141 FCR 1 cited Registrar of Trade Marks v Woolworths Ltd (1999) 93 FCR 365 discussed Southern Cross Refrigerating Co v Toowoomba Foundry Pty Ltd(1953) 91 CLR 592 applied The Shell Company of Australia Limited v Esso Standard Oil (Australia) Limited (1963) 109 CLR 407 applied Torpedoes Sportswear Pty Ltd v Thorpedo Enterprises Pty Ltd (2003) 132 FCR 326 not followed in part TGI Friday's Australia Pty Ltd v TGI Friday's Inc (2000) 100 FCR 358 cited Woolworths v BP plc (2006) 150 FCR 134 cited M Davison, K Johnston and P Kennedy, Shanahan's Australian Law of Trade Marks and Passing Off, 3rd edn, Lawbook Co., Sydney, 2003 PFIZER PRODUCTS INC v JOSEPH KARAM NSD 2252 OF 2005