Seiko Epson Corporation v Calidad Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 1403

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Seiko Epson Corporation v Calidad Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 1403 File number: NSD 1032 of 2015

Judge: BURLEY J

Date of judgment: 29 November 2017

Catchwords: PATENTS – remanufacture of printer ink cartridges embodying a claimed invention – claim for infringement –whether an implied licence to import, sell and use patented goods is conferred upon sale without restriction – consideration of United Kingdom authorities – whether modifications to goods extinguishes any such implied licence – construction of terms of patents – application of construction to applicants' embodiment – comparison with respondents' embodiment – termination of licence arising from sale sub modo TRADE MARKS – claim for infringement – whether word "Epson" on respondents' goods is used in a trade mark sense TRADE MARKS – construction of s 148 of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) – whether respondents' conduct falls within s 148 – whether s 148 imposes a statutory duty and associated civil right of action for breach of said duty TRADE PRACTICES – whether use of word "new" to describe remanufactured goods is misleading or deceptive CONTRACTS – breach of settlement deed – consideration of appropriate remedy

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Schedule 2 ss 18, 29 Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) ss 4G, 4J Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 68 Patents Act 1990 (Cth) ss 13, 15, 117 Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) ss 7, 17, 20, 21, 41, 43, 44, 58, 58A, 59, 60, 61, 62, 62A, 106, 120, 121, 122, 123, 126, 129, 131, 145, 146, 147, 147A, 147B, 148