H. Lundbeck A/S v Commissioner of Patents [2017] FCA 56

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

H. Lundbeck A/S v Commissioner of Patents [2017] FCA 56 Appeal from: H Lundbeck A/S v Alphapharm Pty Ltd & Ors [2016] APO 45

File number: VID 911 of 2016

Judge: BEACH J

Date of judgment: 3 February 2017

Catchwords: PATENTS – construction of s 223(9) of the Patents Act 1990 (Cth) and reg 22.21 of the Patents Regulations 1991 (Cth) – meaning of "ceasing" of patent – meaning of "expiry" of patent – jurisdiction to grant relief under the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) – jurisdiction to grant relief under s 39B(1) of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) – no reviewable error – dispute regarding construction and application of provisions of the Patents Act 1990 (Cth) – "matter" pursuant to s 39B(1A)(c) of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) – jurisdiction enlivened to grant declaratory relief – whether Court should exercise discretion to grant declaratory relief – declarations made

Legislation: Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) ss 5, 6 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 21 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) ss 39B(1), 39B(1A)(c) Patents Act 1990 (Cth) ss 13, 70, 71, 72, 74, 78, 79, 142, 143, 145, 223 Patents Regulations 1991 (Cth) reg 22.11, 22.21

Cases cited: Alphapharm Pty Ltd v H. Lundbeck A/S (2014) 254 CLR 247 Colonial Bank of Australasia v Willan (1874) LR 5 PC 417 Forster v Jododex Australia Pty Ltd (1972) 127 CLR 421 IW v The City of Perth (1997) 191 CLR 1 Law v Razer Industries Pty Ltd (2010) 190 FCR 166 Master Education Services Pty Ltd v Ketchell (2008) 236 CLR 101 Regency Media Pty Ltd v MPEG LA, LLC (2014) 231 FCR 588