Telecom Vanuatu Ltd v Optus Networks Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 1209

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Telecom Vanuatu Ltd v Optus Networks Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 1209

HEARING DATE(S) : 11, 12, 13, 14, 18 & 19 February 2008 & 11, 12, 13 & 14 August 2008

JUDGMENT DATE : 27 November 2008

JURISDICTION : Equity - Commercial List

JUDGMENT OF : Bergin J

DECISION : Plaintiff's claims dismissed.

CATCHWORDS : [CONTRACT] - contracts between telecommunications companies for the provision of telecommunications services from certain countries to Vanuatu - whether subject matter of contract extended to telecommunications services in circumstances where the services were not provided from, to, or through Vanuatu - whether agreement reached between the parties on the amount to be paid for audiotext traffic - [CONVERSION] - use of telephone numbers without legal authority - whether intangible property can be the subject of a suit in conversion

LEGISLATION CITED : Telecommunications Act 1989 (Vanuatu)

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

BP Refinery (Westernport) Pty Ltd v Shire of Hastings (1977) 180 CLR 266 Con-Stan Industries of Australia Pty Ltd v Norwich Winterthur Insurance (Australia) Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 226 Directv Inc v Ostrowski 334 F.Supp.2d 1058 (N.D. Ill. 2004) Ferguson v Eakin (New South Wales Court of Appeal, 27 August 1997, unreported) Gilsan v Optus [2004] NSWSC 1077 Hoath v Connect Internet Services Pty Ltd (2006) 229 ALR 566 Kremen v Cohen 337 F.3d 1024 (9th Cir. 2003) CASES CITED : Lumbers v W Cook Builders Pty Ltd (in liq) (2008) 232 CLR 635 OBG Ltd v Allan [2005] 2 All ER 602 OBG Ltd v Allan [2007] 4 All ER 545 Penfolds Wines Pty Ltd v Elliott (1946) 74 CLR 204 Roxborough v Rothmans of Pall Mall Australia Ltd (2001) 208 CLR 516 Shmueli v Corcoran Group 9 Misc.3d 589 (2005) Telecom Vanuatu Ltd v Optus Networks Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 951 Thyroff v Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company 832 N.Y.S.2d 873 (2007)