The a2 Milk Company Limited v LD&D Australia Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 1515

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

The a2 Milk Company Limited v LD&D Australia Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 1515 File numbers: NSD 1012 of 2019 NSD 1282 of 2019

Judgment of: BROMWICH J

Date of judgment: 3 December 2021

Catchwords: TRADE MARKS – appeals under s 56 of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) from decisions of delegates of Registrar of Trade Marks to refuse applications to register in respect of words "a2 Milk" and "TRUE A2" which were each opposed by the respondent – where respondent has withdrawn opposition to registration – where parties sought by consent orders requiring that the trade mark applications the subjects of the appeals proceed to registration – where Registrar was unable to issue a letter indicating no opposition to her delegates' decisions being set aside – held: appropriate to order that each trade mark application proceed to registration.

Legislation: Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) ss 33, 41, 56

Cases cited: Accor Australia & New Zealand Hospitality Pty Ltd v Liv Pty Ltd [2017] FCAFC 56; 345 ALR 205; 124 IPR 264 Aldi Foods Pty Ltd v Moroccanoil Israel Ltd [2018] FCAFC 93; 261 FCR 301 British Sugar Plc v James Robertson & Sons Ltd [1996] RPC 281 Cantarella Bros Pty Ltd v Modena Trading Pty Ltd [2014] HCA 48; 254 CLR 337 Chevron USA Inc v National Resources Defense Council Inc, 467 US 837 (1984) Clark Equipment Co v Registrar of Trade Marks (1964) 111 CLR 511 Corporation of the City of Enfield v Development Assessment Commission [2000] HCA 5; 199 CLR 135 Mars Australia Pty Ltd v Société des Produits Nestlé SA [2010] FCA 639; 86 IPR 581 Moroccanoil Israel Ltd v Aldi Foods Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 823 Registrar of Trade Marks v Muller (1980) 144 CLR 37 Registrar of Trade Marks v Woolworths Ltd [1999] FCA 1020; 93 FCR 365 Société des Produits Nestlé SA v Aldi Stores (A Limited Partnership) [2010] FCA 218 Tohi v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2021] FCAFC 125