Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd v Glen Cameron Storage & Distribution Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 803

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd v Glen Cameron Storage & Distribution Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 803

CONTRACT – breach of confidence – when confidentiality provision is a reasonable restraint of trade – factual and legal causation COPYRIGHT – distinction between ideas and expression – causal connection – infringement based on indirect access – whether declaration of unjustified threat of infringement may be had as of right EQUITY – confidential information – level of novelty or ingenuity required for information to be confidential – circumstances in which an equitable obligation of confidence is attracted – whether detriment to the confiding party is an element of the cause of action – whether design for truck trailer load restraint system was confidential – unauthorised oral disclosure of the design to competitor Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) ss 10(1), 14(1)(a), 14(1)(b), 32, 36, 115 and 202 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 52 Anacon Corporation Ltd v Environmental Research Technology Ltd [1994] FSR 659, cited Ansell Rubber Co Pty Ltd v Allied Rubber Industries Pty Ltd [1967] VR 37, applied Avel Pty Ltd v Intercontinental Grain Exports Pty Ltd (1996) 65 FCR 154, cited Baker v Selden (1879) 101 US 99, cited Barrett Property v Metricon Homes (2008) 74 IPR 52, applied British Celanese Ltd v Courtaulds Ltd (1935) 52 RPC 171, applied Coco v AN Clark (Engineering) Ltd [1969] RPC 41, applied Desktop Marketing Systems Pty Ltd v Telstra (2002) 119 FCR 491, cited Donoghue v Allied Newspapers Ltd [1938] Ch 106 (Ch D), cited Elwood Clothing Pty Ltd v Cotton On Clothing Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 447, cited Francis Day & Hunter Ltd v Bron [1963] Ch 587, cited JMVB Enterprises Pty Ltd v Camoflag Pty Ltd (2005) 67 IPR 68, cited Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298, applied Holloway v McFeeters (1956) 94 CLR 470, applied Interlego AG v Croner Trading Pty Ltd (1992) 39 FCR 348, cited Ladbroke (Football) Ltd v William Hill (Football) Ltd [1964] 1 All ER 465, cited LED Builders Pty Ltd v Eagle Homes Pty Ltd (1996) 35 IPR 215, cited Maggbury Pty Ltd v Hafele Australia Pty Ltd (2002) 210 CLR 181, applied Moorgate Tobacco Co Ltd v Philip Morris Ltd (No 2) (1984) 156 CLR 414, cited New England Country Homes Pty Ltd v Moore (199) 82 FCR 500, cited Nine Network Australia Pty Limited v IceTV Pty Limited [2008] FCAFC 71, cited Skybase Nominees Pty Ltd v Fortuity Pty Ltd (1996) 36 IPR 529, cited SW Hart & Co Pty Ltd v Edwards Hot Water Systems (1985) 159 CLR 466, cited Tamawood Ltd v Henley Arch Pty Ltd (2004) 61 IPR 378, cited Woodtree Pty Ltd v Zheng (2008) 74 IPR 484, cited L Tsaknis, "The Jurisdictional Basis, Elements and Remedies in the Action for Breach of Confidence – Uncertainty Abounds" (1993) 5 Bond Law Review 18 KRUEGER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT PTY LTD (ACN 005 296 515) v GLEN CAMERON STORAGE & DISTRIBUTION PTY LTD (ACN 005 606 360), GLEN WILLIAM CAMERON, MARTYN TINDAL, VAWDREY AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (ACN 005 075 052) and GLEN CAMERON NOMINEES PTY LTD (ACN 005 350 863)