CA, Inc. v ISI Pty Limited [2012] FCA 35

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

CA, Inc. v ISI Pty Limited [2012] FCA 35 Citation: CA, Inc. v ISI Pty Limited [2012] FCA 35

Parties: CA, INC. and CA (PACIFIC) PTY LIMITED ACN 001 146 345 v ISI PTY LIMITED ACN 003 152 225

File number: NSD 242 of 2010

Judge: BENNETT J

Date of judgment: 3 February 2012

Catchwords: COPYRIGHT – subsistence – whether applicants' database management system identified with sufficient precision to be classified as a "computer program" and/or a "literary work" under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) – applicants' database management system product contains macros – whether applicants' macros are a "computer program" and/or a "literary work" under the Copyright Act COPYRIGHT – infringement – respondent develops product to enable users of applicants' database management system to convert to another database management system – respondent's product includes macros to replace applicants' macros – whether respondent's macros reproduce substantial part of applicants' database management system – whether respondent's macros reproduce substantial part of applicants' macros – relevance of functionality COPYRIGHT – defences – whether defence in s 47D(1) of the Copyright Act available to respondent – whether respondent acting "on behalf of" applicants' licensees for purposes of s 47D(1) CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION – respondent develops product to enable users of applicants' database management system to convert to another database management system – applicants allege respondent's product developed using applicants' confidential information – whether allegedly confidential information identified with sufficient specificity CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION – whether information has quality of confidence – whether certain alleged disclosures of information destroy quality of confidence CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION – respondent develops product while working as independent contractor at premises of licensees of applicants' database management system – whether applicants' information imparted to respondent in circumstances importing duty of confidence – whether respondent bound by equitable obligation of confidence CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION – whether unauthorised use of allegedly confidential information EQUITY – laches – alleged delay by applicants in commencing proceedings – whether inequitable for applicants to gain relief for breach of confidential information TRADE PRACTICES – whether alleged representations contravene ss 52 and 53 of Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)