Axent Holdings Pty Ltd t/a Axent Global v Compusign Australia Pty Ltd [2020] FCA 1373

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Axent Holdings Pty Ltd t/a Axent Global v Compusign Australia Pty Ltd [2020] FCA 1373 File number: VID 1408 of 2016

Judge: KENNY J

Date of judgment: 25 September 2020

Catchwords: PATENTS – changing sign system for use as variable speed limit sign on roadways – construction of claims – whether method or product claims – product claims containing a limitation by result – clarity of claims – infringement – defence of Crown use – defence of innocent infringement – defence of prior use – lapsed patent – alleged invalidity of patent on grounds of lack of novelty, inventive step and entitlement, and failure to disclose best method – held: no infringement; patent wholly invalid for lack of inventive step; partially invalid for want of novelty

Legislation: Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 15AA City of Adelaide Act 1998 (SA) s 4 City of Greater Geelong Act 1993 (Vic) s 5 Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) s 115 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) ss 60, 63, 67, 69, 79, 135, 136, 160, 192 Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) rr 1.34, 23.13, 30.29 Highways Act 1926 (SA) ss 2, 8, 10(1), 13, 20, 20B, 26, 28, 31, 31A, 32 Local Government Act 1989 (Vic) ss 3C, 3D, 111, 111A, 132, 133, 135, 186, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208H, 209, 218, 218A Patents Act 1903 (Cth) Patents Act 1949 (UK) s 59 Patents Act 1952 (Cth) ss 100, 125, 132, 158 Patents Act 1977 (UK) ss 62, 64 Patents Act 1990 (Cth) ss 7, 13, 18, 22A, 24, 40, 115, 117, 119, 120, 122, 123, 138, 139, 143, 162, 163, 223, Sch 1 Patents Regulations 1991 (Cth) regs 2.2, 2.3, 13.3, 13.6 Transport Act 1983 (Vic) ss 15, 16, 21, 31 Transport Integration Act 2010 (Vic) ss 80, 82)