Homart Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd v Careline Australia Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 403

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Homart Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd v Careline Australia Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 403 File number: NSD 694 of 2016

Judge: BURLEY J

Date of judgment: 20 April 2017

Catchwords: TRADE PRACTICES – misleading or deceptive conduct – packaging and get-up of cosmetic products – different trade marks – market for both products consumers of ethnic Chinese origin – comparison of products' get-up – extent of reputation in both products – whether respondent intentionally adopted features of applicant's get-up TRADE PRACTICES – misleading or deceptive conduct – representations on WeChat website and in legal letters as to comparative effectiveness of products, unlawful conduct and threats to sue – whether relevant class of persons would consider that alleged representations were made – whether representations are actionable

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Schedule 2, s 18

Cases cited: Apand Pty Limited v The Kettle Chip Company Pty Limited (1994) 52 FCR 474 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd [2013] HCA 54; (2013) 250 CLR 640 Australian Woollen Mills Limited v F. S. Walton & Company Limited [1937] HCA 51; (1937) 58 CLR 641 Cadbury Schweppes Pty Ltd v Darrell Lea Chocolate Shops Pty Ltd (No 4) [2006] FCA 446; (2006) 69 IPR 23 Cadbury Schweppes Pty Ltd v Darrell Lea Chocolate Shops Pty Ltd [2007] FCAFC 70; (2007) 159 FCR 397 Cadbury Schweppes Pty Ltd v Darrell Lea Chocolate Shops Pty Ltd (No 8) [2008] FCA 470; (2008) 75 IPR 557 Campomar Sociedad, Limitada v Nike International Limited [2000] HCA 12; (2000) 202 CLR 45 Collins Debden Pty Ltd v Cumberland Stationery Co Pty Ltd (No 2) [2005] FCA 1398 CRW Pty Ltd v Sneddon (1972) AR (NSW) 17 Dr Martens Australia Pty Ltd v Rivers (Australia) Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1655; (1999) 95 FCR 136 Dynamic Supplies Pty Limited v Tonnex International Pty Limited (No 2) [2011] FCA 675 Global Sportsman Pty Ltd v Mirror Newspapers Pty Ltd [1984] FCA 167; (1984) 2 FCR 82 Hornsby Building Information Centre Pty Ltd v Sydney Building Information Centre Ltd [1978] HCA 11; (1978) 140 CLR 216 Interlego AG v Croner Trading Pty Ltd [1992] FCA 992; (1992) 39 FCR 348 Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV v Remington Products Australia Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 876; (2000) 100 FCR 90 McCormick & Company Inc v McCormick [2000] FCA 1335; (2000) 51 IPR 102 Natural Waters of Viti Ltd v Dayals (Fiji) Artesian Waters Ltd [2007] FCA 200; (2007) 71 IPR 571 North East Equity Pty Ltd v Proud Nominees Pty Ltd [2010] FCAFC 60; (2010) 269 ALR 262 Nutrientwater Pty Ltd v Baco Pty Ltd [2010] FCA 2; (2010) 265 ALR 140 Optical 88 Ltd v Optical 88 Pty Ltd (No 2) [2010] FCA 1380; (2010) 89 IPR 457 Pacific Dunlop Limited v Hogan (1989) 23 FCR 553 Pacific Publications Pty Limited v Next Publishing Pty Limited [2005] FCA 625; (2005) 65 IPR 58 Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Puxu Pty Ltd [1982] HCA 44; (1982) 149 CLR 191 Peter Bodum A/S v DKSH Australia Pty Ltd [2011] FCAFC 98; (2011) 92 IPR 222 Playcorp Group of Companies Pty Ltd v Peter Bodum A/S [2010] FCA 23; (2010) 84 IPR 542 S & I Publishing Pty Ltd v Australian Surf Life Saver Pty Ltd [1998] FCA 1463; (1998) 88 FCR 354 SAP Australia Pty Ltd v Sapient Australia Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1821; (1999) 48 IPR 593 State Government Insurance Corporation v Government Insurance Office of New South Wales (1991) 28 FCR 511 Stuart Alexander & Co (Interstate) Pty Ltd v Blenders Pty Ltd [1981] FCA 169; (1981) 37 ALR 161 SWF Hoists and Industrial Equipment Pty Ltd v Statement Government Insurance Commission (1990) ATPR 41-045 Sydneywide Distributors Pty Ltd v Red Bull Australia Pty Ltd [2002] FCAFC 157; (2002) 234 FCR 549 Taco Co of Australia Inc v Taco Bell Pty Ltd [1982] FCA 170; (1982) 42 ALR 177 Thai World Import & Export Co Ltd v Shuey Shing Pty Ltd [1989] FCA 735; (1989) 17 IPR 289 Tobacco Institute of Australia Ltd v Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations Inc [1992] FCA 962; (1992) 38 FCR 1 Verrocchi v Direct Chemist Outlet Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 234; (2015) 112 IPR 200 Verrocchi v Direct Chemist Outlet Pty Ltd [2016] FCAFC 104 Wanem Pty Ltd v John Tekiela [1990] FCA 527; (1990) 19 IPR 435 Windsor Smith Pty Ltd v Dr Martens Australia Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 756; (2000) 49 IPR 286