Transportable Shade Sheds Australia Pty Ltd v Aussie Shade Sheds Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 584

Federal Court of Australia

Transportable Shade Sheds Australia Pty Ltd v Aussie Shade Sheds Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 584 File number(s): QUD 285 of 2024

Judgment of: COLLIER J

Date of judgment: 4 June 2024

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for urgent interlocutory relief ex parte – circumstances when Court prepared to make ex parte order – need for disclosure of relevant facts – principles in Australian Broadcasting Corporation v O'Neill [2006] HCA 46; (2006) 227 CLR 57 discussed – prospective claim of infringement of intellectual property rights – prospective claim of use of confidential information – section 71 Designs Act 2003 (Cth) – serious question to be tried – applicant likely to suffer injury for which damages not adequate remedy – balance of convenience – whether orders in the nature of discovery ought be made – liberty to apply

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Designs Act 2003 (Cth) s 71 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 37AF, 37AG(1)(a) and (c) Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) rr 7.23, 41.06 Fair Trading Act 1989 (Qld) s 38

Cases cited: Australian Broadcasting Corporation v O'Neill [2006] HCA 46; (2006) 227 CLR 57 P Dawson Nominees Pty Ltd v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (No 2) [2009] 255 ALR 466 Thomas A Edison Ltd v Bullock [1912] HCA 72; (1912) 15 CLR 679 Town & Country Sport Resorts (Holdings) Pty Ltd v Partnership Pacific Ltd [1988] 97 ALR 315 TV Plus Broadcasting Co Pty Ltd v United Broadcasting International Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 565