Caterpillar Inc v Puma SE [2021] FCA 1014

Federal Court of Australia

Caterpillar Inc v Puma SE [2021] FCA 1014 Appeal from: Caterpillar Inc v Puma SE [2019] ATMO 99

File number(s): VID 773 of 2019

Judgment of: O'BRYAN J

Date of judgment: 27 August 2021

Catchwords: TRADE MARKS – application for registration of PROCAT word mark in classes 18 and 25 in respect of apparel, footwear, bags and accessories – opposition based on prior registration and reputation of CAT word and device marks – appeal from decision of Registrar of Trade Marks allowing registration – whether PROCAT deceptively similar to CAT within s 44 of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) – whether relevant to consider industry practice of using multiple marks on footwear – whether industry practice established on the evidence – degree of textual, phonetic and conceptual similarity – whether use of PROCAT mark would be likely to deceive or cause confusion because of the reputation of the CAT word and device marks within s 60 – whether reputation in CAT word mark established – whether use of PROCAT mark would be contrary to law by reason of contravening ss 18 and 29(1)(g) and (h) of the Australian Consumer Law – appeal allowed

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2 (Australian Consumer Law) ss 18 and 29 Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) ss 42(b), 44, 56, 60

Cases cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Employsure Pty Ltd [2021] FCAFC 142 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (2020) 278 FCR 450 Australian Postal Corporation Australian Postal Corporation v Digital Post Australia Pty Ltd [2013] FCAFC 153; 308 ALR 1 Australian Woollen Mills Ltd v FS Walton & Co Ltd (1937) 58 CLR 641 Berlei Hestia Industries Ltd v Bali Co Inc (1973) 129 CLR 353 CA Henschke & Co v Rosemount Estates Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 1539; 52 IPR 42 Coca-Cola Co v All-Fect Distributors Ltd (1999) 96 FCR 107 Companhia Souza Cruz Industria E Comercio v Rothmans of Pall Mall (Australia) Ltd (1998) 41 IPR 497 Crazy Ron's Communications Pty Ltd v Mobileworld Communications Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 196; 209 ALR 1 Delfi Chocolate Manufacturing SA v Mars Australia Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 1065; 115 IPR 82 Gardenia Overseas Pty Ltd v The Garden Company Ltd (1993) 47 FCR 220 Google Inc v ACCC (2013) 249 CLR 435 Hashtag Burgers Pty Ltd v In-N-Out Burgers, Inc [2020] FCAFC 235; 385 ALR 514 In-N-Out Burgers, Inc v Hashtag Burgers Pty Ltd [2020] FCA 193; 377 ALR 116 Mars Australia Pty Ltd v Sweet Rewards Pty Ltd [2009] FCA 606; 81 IPR 354 MID Sydney Pty Ltd v Australian Tourism Co Ltd (1998) 90 FCR 236 Pacific Publications Pty Ltd v IPC Media Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 104; 57 IPR 28 Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Puxu Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 191 Pfizer Products Inc v Karam (2006) 219 FCR 585 Pham Global Pty Ltd v Insight Clinical Imaging Pty Ltd (2017) 251 FCR 379 Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Co v Hy-Line Chicks Pty Ltd [1979] RPC 410 Polo Textile Industries Pty Ltd v Domestic Textile Corp Pty Ltd (1993) 42 FCR 227 Re Application by Pianotist Co Ltd (1906) 1A IPR 379 Re Grundig Trade Mark [1968] RPC 89 Reckitt & Colman (Australia) Ltd v Boden (1945) 70 CLR 84 Registrar of Trade Marks v Woolworths Limited (1999) 93 FCR 365 Rodney Jane Racing Pty Ltd v Monster Energy Company [2019] FCA 923; 142 IPR 275 Saville Perfumery Ltd v June Perfect Ltd (1941) 58 RPC 147 Shell Co of Australia Ltd v Esso Standard Oil (Aust) Ltd (1963) 109 CLR 407 Singtel Optus Pty Ltd v Optum Inc [2018] FCA 575; 140 IPR 1 Southern Cross Refrigerating Co v Toowoomba Foundry Pty Ltd (1954) 91 CLR 592 Telstra Corp Ltd v Phone Directories Co Australia Pty Ltd (2015) 237 FCR 388 Tivo Inc v Vivo International Corp Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 252 Vivo International Corporation Pty Ltd & Anor v Tivo Inc & Anor [2012] FCAFC 159; 294 ALR 661 Wingate Marketing Pty Ltd v Levi Strauss & Co (1994) 49 FCR 89