Centrestage Management Pty Ltd v Riedle [2008] FCA 938

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Centrestage Management Pty Ltd v Riedle [2008] FCA 938

COPYRIGHT – computer programs – contract for supply – implied licence in purchaser to use program without thereby infringing vendor's copyright – whether implied term that purchaser have access to source code.

CONTRACT – implied terms – terms implied by law in contracts of a particular type independently of parties' actual or presumed intention – terms implied to give business efficacy to a particular contract – contract for supply of computer program – implied licence in purchaser to use program without thereby infringing vendor's copyright – whether implied term that purchaser have access to source code Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) ss 10, 21(5), 31, 35(6), 47AB, 47D, 47E De Garis v Neville Jeffress Pidler Pty Ltd (1990) 18 IPR 292 referred to Beck v Montana Constructions Pty Ltd [1964‑5] NSWLR 229 considered Pacific Software Technology Ltd v Perry Group Ltd [2004] 1 NZLR 164 cited Computer Edge Pty Ltd v Apple Computer Inc (1986) 161 CLR 171 referred to Data Access Corporation v Powerflex Services Pty Ltd (1999) 202 CLR 1 referred to Codelfa Constructions Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority (NSW) (1982) 149 CLR 337 applied Liverpool City Council v Irwin [1977] AC 239 applied Tai Hing Cotton Mill Ltd v Liu Chong Hing Bank Ltd [1986] AC 80 cited Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410 applied Scally v Southern Health and Social Services Board [1992] 1 AC 294 referred to Concrete Pty Ltd v Parramatta Design & Developments Pty Ltd (2006) 229 CLR 577 distinguished Avel v Multicoin Amusements Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 88 distinguished TSB Retail Systems Pty Ltd v 3Fold Resources Pty Ltd (No 3) (2007) 72 IPR 492 distinguished Stevens v Brodribb Sawmilling Co Pty Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 16 applied Roy Morgan Research Centre Pty v Commissioner of State Revenue (Victoria) 37 ATR 528 referred to Chitty on Contracts, General Principles 29th ed (2004)