Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation v Urrbrae Foods Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 504

Federal Court of Australia

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation v Urrbrae Foods Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 504 File number: VID 419 of 2022

Judgment of: MOSHINSKY J

Date of judgment: 15 May 2023

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – preliminary discovery – pre-action production of samples – where the prospective applicant sought production of samples for testing to assist it in deciding whether to commence a proceeding to obtain relief from the prospective respondent – whether the Court has power to make an order for production of samples for testing for this purpose – held: order made for production of samples PATENTS – pre-action production of samples – where the prospective applicant sought production of samples of wheat for testing to assist it in deciding whether to commence a proceeding for patent infringement against the prospective respondent – whether the Court has power to make an order for production of samples for testing for this purpose

Legislation: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), ss 4, 23 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), s 79 Federal Court Rules 1979, O 15A rr 3, 6, 12, O 17 r 1 Federal Court Rules 2011, rr 7.22, 7.23, 14.01 Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules 2015 (Vic)

Cases cited: CCA Beverages (Adelaide) Ltd v Hansford [1991] FCA 925 GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd v Pharmacor Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 1202 Norm Engineering Pty Ltd v Digga Australia Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1378 Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd v ANL Singapore Pte Ltd [2020] FCA 921 Pacific Dunlop Ltd v Australian Rubber Gloves Pty Ltd (1992) 23 IPR 456 SmithKline Beecham plc v Alphapharm Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 271 Tyco Australia Pty Limited v Leighton Contractors Pty Limited [2005] FCAFC 115; 142 FCR 428