Global Brand Marketing Inc v YD Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 605

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Global Brand Marketing Inc v YD Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 605

TRADE MARKS – representations of sole and shape marks registered as trade marks in respect of footwear – whether rival vendor used shoes as a trade mark – meaning of use as a trade mark – whether goods themselves can constitute a trade mark – whether the mark must have a separate identity from that of the goods – functional and non‑functional considerations – whether features of shape bear any relation to the function to be performed by the nature of the goods TRADE MARKS – infringement – representations of sole and shape marks registered in respect of footwear – whether infringement by rival vendor – whether rival's shoes substantially identical or deceptively similar to registered marks TRADE MARKS – application for removal of marks from register on ground that not capable of distinguishing proprietor's goods from those of another ‑ meaning of 'distinguish' – application for removal on ground that applicant not owner of mark

Held: The rivals shoes do not infringe trade marks. The attack on the validity of registration fails.

Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) ss 7, 10, 17, 41, 58, 88, 120 Shell Co of Australia Ltd v Esso Standard Oil (Aust) Ltd (1963) 109 CLR 407 applied World Brands Management Pty Ltd v Cube Footwear Pty Ltd [2004] FCA 769 referred to Re 'GE' Trade Mark (1972) 1B IPR referred to Jafferjee v Scarlett (1937) 57 CLR 115 referred to Johnson & Johnson Aust Pty Ltd v Sterling Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd (1991) 30 FCR 326 applied Coca‑Cola Company v All‑Fect Distributors Ltd (1999) 96 FCR 107 applied Koninklijke Philips Electrics NV v Remington Products Pty Ltd (2000) 100 FCR 90 applied Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV v Remington Products Australia Pty Ltd (1999) 91 FCR 167 cited Mayne Industries Pty Ltd v Advanced Engineering Group Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 27 applied Kenman Kandy Aust Pty Ltd v Registrar of Trade Marks (2002) 122 FCR 494 applied Wellness Pty Ltd v Pro‑Bio Living Waters Pty Ltd (2004) 61 IPR 242 applied Australian Woollen Mills Ltd v FS Walton & Co Ltd (1937) 58 CLR 641 applied Crazy Ron's Communications Pty Limited v Mobileworld Communications Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 196 applied Henschke & Co v Rosemount Estates Pty Ltd (2001) 52 IPR 42 referred to Registrar of Trade Marks v Woolworths (1999) 45 IPR 411 applied de Cordova v Vick Chemical Co (1951) 68 RPC 103 applied Melbourne Chinese Press Pty Ltd v Australian Chinese Newspapers Pty Ltd (2004) 63 IPR 38 applied Aldi Stores Ltd Partnership v. Frito‑Lay Trading Company GmbH (2001) 54 IPR 344 applied Torpedoes Sportswear Pty Limited v Thorpedo Enterprises Pty Limited (2003) 59 IPR 318 cited Kowa Company Ltd v N V Organon (2005) 66 IPR 131 referred to Global Brand Marketing Inc v Cube Footwear Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 852 referred to Blount Inc v Registrar of Trade Marks (1998) 40 IPR 498 applied Clark Equipment Co v Registrar of Trade Marks (1964) 111 CLR 511 applied Shell Co (Aust) Ltd v Rohm and Haas Co (1948) 78 CLR 601 applied Aston v Harlee Manufacturing Co (1960) 103 CLR 391 cited Southern Cross Refrigerating Co v Toowoomba Foundry Pty Ltd (1954) 91 CLR 592 cited Lomas v Winton Shire Council [2003] AIPC 91‑839 applied Mobileworld Communications Pty Ltd v Q & Q Global Enterprise (2003) 61 IPR 98 cited In re Jellinek's Application (1946) 63 RPC 59 cited