Tivo Inc v Vivo International Corporation Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 252

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Tivo Inc v Vivo International Corporation Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 252 Citation: Tivo Inc v Vivo International Corporation Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 252

Parties: TIVO INC. and TIVO BRANDS, LLC. v VIVO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION PTY LTD (ACN 087 480 171) and FABIO GRASSIA; VIVO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION PTY LTD (ACN 087 480 171); TIVO BRANDS, LLC.

File number: VID 25 of 2011

Judge: DODDS-STREETON J

Date of judgment: 19 March 2012

Catchwords: TRADE MARKS – Whether respondents' mark deceptively similar to applicants' mark – Whether honest concurrent use – Whether use of respondents' mark likely to deceive or cause confusion, because applicants' mark had acquired reputation in Australia or due to convergence of goods sold under each mark – Whether discretionary factors justify maintenance of registration of respondents' mark – Whether infringement of applicants' trade mark – Whether second respondent liable as joint tortfeasor – Whether applicants' or respondents' mark should be removed from the Register due to non-use in respect of particular goods or services

Legislation: Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) ss 79, 140(2), 190(3) Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) ss 10, 14, 44(1), 44(2), 44(3)(a), 44(3)(b), 60, 72, 88(2)(a), 88(2)(c), 89, 92(3), 92(4), 101(3), 120, 122(1)(e) Trade Marks Regulations 1995 (Cth) reg 8.2

Cases cited: American Power Conversion v Tecom Resources Pty Ltd [2004] ATMO 58 cited Anakin Pty Ltd v Chatswood BBQ King Pty Ltd (2008) 250 ALR 620 cited Anheuser-Busch Inc v Budejovicky Budvar, Narodni Podnik & Ors (2002) 56 IPR 182 cited Aristoc Ltd v Rysta Ltd [1945] AC 68 discussed Austin, Nichols and Co Inc v Lodestar Anstalt [2012] FCAFC 8 discussed Australian Woollen Mills Ltd v FS Walton & Co Ltd (1937) 58 CLR 641 cited Berlei Hestia Industries Ltd v Bali Co Inc (1973) 129 CLR 353 cited CA Henschke & Co v Rosemount Estates Pty Ltd (1999) 47 IPR 63 cited Campomar Sociedad Limitada v Nike International Ltd (2000) 202 CLR 45 cited Caterpillar Loader Hire (Holdings) Pty Ltd v Caterpillar Tractor Co (1983) 48 ALR 511 cited CEPU v ACCC (2007) 162 FCR 466 cited Chocolaterie Guylian NV v Registrar of Trade Marks (2009) 180 FCR 60 cited Clinique Laboratories Inc v Luxury Skincare Brands Pty Ltd (2003) 61 IPR 130 cited Coca-Cola Company v All-Fect Distributors Ltd (1999) 96 FCR 107 cited Conagra Inc v McCain Foods (Aust) Pty Ltd (1992) 33 FCR 302 cited Conde Nast Publications Pty Ltd v Taylor (1998) 41 IPR 505 cited Cooper Engineering Co Pty Ltd v Sigmund Pumps Ltd (1952) 86 CLR 536 cited Crazy Ron's Communications Pty Limited v Mobileworld Communications Pty Limited (2004) 209 ALR 1 cited Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar (2011) 277 ALR 611 cited E&J Gallo Winery v Lion Nathan Australia Pty Ltd (2008) 77 IPR 69 discussed E & J Gallo Winery v Lion Nathan (2009) 175 FCR 386 cited Edwards v Liquid Engineering 2003 Pty Ltd (2008) 77 IPR 115 cited EOS Australia Pty Ltd v Expo Tomei Pty Ltd (1998) 42 IPR 277 cited Frigiking Trade Mark [1973] RPC 739 cited Hansen Beverage Co v Bickfords (Australia) Pty Ltd (2008) 75 IPR 505 distinguished Hansen Beverage Company v Bickfords (Australia) Pty Ltd (2008) 171 FCR 579 discussed Haw Par Corporation Limited v The Thai Enterprises Limited (2004) 63 IPR 666 cited Health World Ltd v Shin-Sun Australia Pty Ltd (2008) 75 IPR 478 cited Hills Industries Limited v Bitek Pty Ltd (2011) 90 IPR 337 distinguished Jaferjee v Scarlett (1937) 57 CLR 115 cited Johnson & Johnson v Kalnin (1993) 26 IPR 435 cited Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 applied Keller v LED Technologies Pty Ltd (2010) 185 FCR 449 discussed Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc v Goulimis cited Le Cordon Bleu BV v Cordon Bleu International Ltee (2000) 50 IPR 1 cited Magnavox (Aust) Pty Ltd's Trade Mark (1964) 34 AOJP 2075 cited McCormick & Co Inc v McCormick (2000) 51 IPR 102 discussed McHattan v Australian Specialised Vehicle Systems Pty Ltd (1996) 34 IPR 537 cited Melhero Pty Ltd & Anor v Club X and Others (1997) 37 IPR 151 cited Men's Gallery Pty Ltd v Platinum 253 Pty Ltd (2008) 78 IPR 71 cited NEC Corporation v Punch Video (S) Pte Ltd (2005) 67 IPR 17 cited Nettlefold Advertising Pty Ltd v Nettlefold Signs Pty Ltd (1997) 38 IPR 495 cited PB Foods v Malanda Dairy Foods Ltd (1999) 47 IPR 47 cited Pfizer Products Inc v Karam (2006) 237 ALR 787 distinguished Pioneer Computers Australia Pty Ltd v Pioneer KK (2009) 176 FCR 300 discussed Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Co v Hy-Line Chicks Pty Ltd [1979] RPC 410 cited Podravka Prehrambena Industrija DD v Przedsiebiorstwo Produkcyjno Handlowe "Prymat" Ryszard Lechowski (2004) 64 IPR 414 cited Polo Textile Industries Pty Ltd v Domestic Textile Corporation Pty Ltd (1993) 42 FCR 227 cited Prefel SA v Merchant Corporation Pty Ltd (2001) 52 IPR 227 cited Protiviti Inc v Probiti Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1114 cited Re Alex Pirie & Sons Ltd's Application (1933) 50 RPC 147 cited Re Carl Zeiss Pty Ltd's Application (1969) 122 CLR 1 cited Re John Fitton & Co Ltd's Application (1949) 66 RPC 110 cited Re Pianotist Co Ltd's Application (1906) 23 RPC 774 cited Re Rysta Ltd's Application [1943] 1 All ER 400 cited Registrar of Trade Marks v Woolworths Ltd (1999) 93 FCR 365 discussed Renaud Cointreau v Cordon Bleu International Ltd (2001) 193 ALR 657 cited Shell Company of Australia Ltd v Rohm and Haas Co (1949) 78 CLR 601 cited Shell Co of Australia v Esso Standard Oil (Aust) Ltd (1963) 109 CLR 407 cited South Cone Inc v Reg Barton Spencer [2007] ATMO 43 cited Southern Cross Refrigerating Co v Toowoomba Foundry Pty Ltd (1954) 91 CLR 592 cited Sporte Leisure Pty Ltd v Paul's International Pty Ltd (2010) 88 IPR 242 cited Starr Partners Pty Ltd v Dev Prem Pty Ltd (2007) 71 IPR 459 cited Toddler Kindy Gymbaroo Pty Ltd v Gymboree Pty Ltd (2000) 100 FCR 166 cited Unichema Chemicals Ltd v Tiozide Co Inc (1993) 26 IPR 624 cited Unilever Australia Ltd v Karounos (2001) 113 FCR 322 cited VB Distributors v Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co Ltd (1999) 53 IPR 466 distinguished Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd v Green Spot Company Limited [2008] ATMO 45 cited Wingate Marketing Pty Ltd and Another v Levi Strauss & Co and Another (1994) 28 IPR 193 cited