Bed Bath 'N' Table Pty Ltd v Global Retail Brands Australia Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 1587

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Bed Bath 'N' Table Pty Ltd v Global Retail Brands Australia Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 1587 File number: VID 314 of 2021

Judgment of: ROFE J

Date of judgment: 14 December 2023

Catchwords: TRADE MARKS — infringement — whether the respondent's use of the "House BED & BATH" mark infringed the applicant's registered trade marks comprising the words "BED BATH N' TABLE" — whether the applicant has an independent reputation in the words "BED BATH" — whether the words "bed" and "bath" are purely descriptive — relevance of alleged confusion evidence — infringement not established. TRADE MARKS — infringement — defences to infringement — whether the respondent can establish the defence under s 122(1)(b)(i) of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) — in the event of infringement being established, the respondent has not made out the defence. TRADE PRACTICES — misleading or deceptive conduct — alleged breaches of s 18 and s 29(1)(a), (g) and (h) of the Australian Consumer Law — well-established reputation of the applicant — wilful blindness of the respondent as to whether store name likely to mislead or deceive consumers — elements of claims established — passing off — reputation — elements of claims established.

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Fair Trading Act 1986 (NZ)

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