Lawton Pty Ltd v FHMC Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 1165

Federal Court of Australia

Lawton Pty Ltd v FHMC Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 1165 File number: NSD 976 of 2021

Judgment of: WIGNEY J

Date of judgment: 24 September 2021

Catchwords: TORT – whether respondent's continued use of a business name would constitute tort of passing off – whether respondent's continued use of a business name would amount to misleading or deceptive conduct under ss 18 and 20 of the Australian Consumer Law, Sch 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – interlocutory application seeking an injunction to permanently restrain respondent from continuing to use a business name – relevant principles regarding interlocutory injunctions – whether applicant has established a prima facie case for an interlocutory injunction – whether balance of convenience favours grant of an interlocutory injunction – where balance of convenience in favour of granting injunction – interlocutory injunction granted CONTRACT – whether there was an oral contract between parties regarding use of a business name

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Sch 2

Cases cited: Apotex Pty Ltd v Cipla Limited [2017] FCA 1627 Australian Broadcasting Corporation v Lenah Game Meats Pty Ltd (2001) 208 CLR 199; [2001] HCA 63 Australian Insurance Holdings Pty Ltd v Chan [2010] FCA 781 Beecham Group Ltd v Bristol Laboratories Pty Ltd (1968) 118 CLR 618 Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia (1986) 161 CLR 148 J. H. Coles Proprietary Limited v Need (1933) 49 CLR 499 Patrick Stevedores Operations No 2 Pty Ltd v Maritime Union of Australia (1998) 195 CLR 1 Samsung Electronics Co Limited v Apple Inc (2011) 217 FCR 238; [2011] FCAFC 156 Sigma Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Ltd v Wyeth (2009) 81 IPR 339; [2009] FCA 595