Torpey Vander Have Pty Ltd v Mass Constructions Pty Ltd [2002] NSWCA 263

Reported Decision : (2002) 55 IPR 542

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Torpey Vander Have Pty Ltd v Mass Constructions Pty Ltd [2002] NSWCA 263 FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40087/01 HEARING DATE(S) : 11/04/02 JUDGMENT DATE : 13 August 2002

PARTIES : Torpey Vander Have Pty Ltd (Appellant) Mass Constructions Pty Ltd (Respondent) JUDGMENT OF : Spigelman CJ at 1; Young CJ in Eq at 40; Foster AJA at 129

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION : District Court LOWER COURT 3397/98 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Garling DCJ and Gibb DCJ JUDICIAL OFFICER :

COUNSEL : G B Hall QC and S J Burchett (A) C J Birch SC and J-J Loofs (R) SOLICITORS : Margiotta (A) Wehbe & Co (R) CATCHWORDS : ARCHITECTS- Copyright in plans- Licence to construction company- Construction company fails- Mortgagee sells- Purchaser from mortgagee builds using plans- Whether architect can succeed in contract or unjust enrichment against purchaser- Held "No" (Young CJ in Eq dissenting on unjust enrichment)- Whether mortgagee's sale transfers licence to use plans- Held "No". PRACTICE- Amendment sought after expiry of limitation period to raise alternative case in breach of copyright on same facts as existing contract case- Refused by District Court Judge- Allegation that judge influenced by fact that applicant's solicitor an alleged persistent offender against good case management- Whether refusal within judge's discretion- Held "Yes"- Whether judge disqualified- Held "No". (D) LEGISLATION CITED : Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), ss 131B, 196 District Court Rules, Part 17 r4; Part 17(5) Acohs Pty Ltd v RA Bashford Consulting Pty Ltd (1997) 37 IPR 542 Aerial Advertising Co v Batchelors Peas Ltd (Manchester) [1938] 2 All ER 788 Avel Pty Ltd v Multicoin Amusements Pty Ltd (1990) 171 CLR 88 Bailey (R & A) & Co Pty Ltd v Boccaccio Pty Ltd (1986) 4 NSWLR 701 Beck v Montana Constructions Pty Ltd [1964-5] NSWR 229; 5 FLR 298; 80 WN (NSW) 1578 Bourke v Filmways Australasian Distributors Pty Ltd (Eq 3219/79, Powell J, 9.10.1979) Brenner v First Artists' Management Pty Ltd [1993] 2 VR 221 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 Burns Philp Trustee Co Ltd v Ironside Investments Pty Ltd [1984] 2 Qd R 16 Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410 Daniels v Pynbland (Nos 1 & 2) (1985) 4 BPR 9716 CASES CITED: De Garis v Neville Jeffress Pidler Pty Ltd (1990) 37 FCR 99 Devefi Pty Ltd v Mateffy Pearl Nagy Pty Ltd (1993) 113 ALR 225 Fink v Fink (1946) 74 CLR 127 Gay v Johnston (1936) 37 SR (NSW) 454 Gruzman Pty Ltd v Percy Marks Pty Ltd (1989) 16 IPR 87 Independent Grocers Co-Operative Ltd v Noble Lowndes Superannuation Consultants Ltd (1993) 60 SASR 525 McGee v Yeomans [1977] 1 NSWLR 273 Ng v Clyde Securities Ltd [1976] 1 NSWLR 443 Queensland v JL Holdings Pty Ltd (1997) 189 CLR 146 Stevens v Benning 1854) 1 K & J 168; 69 ER 414 Stovin-Bradford v Volpoint [1971] 1 Ch 1007 Wardley Australia v Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 DECISION : (By majority) Appeals dismissed with costs.