Inlon Pty Ltd v Celli SpA [2017] NSWSC 569

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Inlon Pty Ltd v Celli SpA [2017] NSWSC 569 Hearing dates: 18, 19, 20, 21 April 2017 Date of orders: 11 May 2017 Decision date: 11 May 2017 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Parker J Decision: Declaratory and injunctive relief (subject to undertakings) to be granted as per [168]-[169] Catchwords: CONTRACTS – exclusive distribution agreement – minimum order obligation – construction – breach – contractual right of termination – construction – election – implied obligation to co-operate and act reasonably – scope – distributor's application for trade mark – entitlement to terminate. PRIVILEGE – legal professional privilege – common interest – potential conflict. EQUITABLE REMEDIES – third party distributor – injunction – delay – adequacy of damages – distributor's application for trade mark – unclean hands. Legislation Cited: Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) Cases Cited: Alcatel Australia Ltd v Scarcella (1998) 44 NSWLR 349 Allphones Retail Pty Ltd v Hoy Mobile Pty Ltd (2009) 178 FCR 57; [2009] FCAFC 85 Ampolex Ltd v Perpetual Trustee Co (Canberra) Ltd (1995) 37 NSWLR 405 Atlas Steels (Australia) Pty Ltd v Atlas Steels Ltd (1948) 49 SR (NSW) 157 BP Refinery (Westernport) Pty Ltd v Hastings Shire Council (1977) 180 CLR 266 Burger King Corporation v Hungry Jack's Pty Ltd (2001) 69 NSWLR 558; [2001] NSWCA 187 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (1982) 149 CLR 337; [1982] HCA 24 Doherty v Allman (1878) 3 App Cas 709 DTR Nominees Pty Ltd v Mona Homes Pty Ltd (1978) 138 CLR 423 Estex Clothing Manufacturers Pty Ltd v Ellis & Goldstein Ltd (1967) 116 CLR 254 Kurt Keller Pty Ltd v BMW Australia Ltd [1984] 1 NSWLR 353 Luxor (Eastbourne) Ltd v Cooper [1941] AC 108 Marshall v Prescott [2013] NSWCA 152 Media Ocean Ltd v Optus Mobile Pty Ltd (No 10) [2010] FCA 1348 Renard Constructions (ME) Pty Ltd v Minister for Public Works (1992) 26 NSWLR 234 Sanderson Motors (Sales) Pty Ltd v Yorkstar Motors Pty Ltd [1983] 1 NSWLR 513 Sargent v ASL Developments Ltd (1974) 131 CLR 634; [1974] HCA 40 Secured Income Real Estate (Australia) Ltd v St Martins Investments Pty Ltd (1979) 144 CLR 596 Telchadder v Wickland Holdings Ltd [2014] UKSC 57; 1 WLR 4004 Tele2 International Card Company SA v Post Office Ltd [2009] EWCA Civ 9 Wickman Machine Tool Sales Ltd v L Schuler AG [1974] AC 235 Texts Cited: A Stewart, P Griffith, and J Bannister, Intellectual Property in Australia (4th ed, 2010, LexisNexis Butterworths) JW Carter, Contract Law in Australia (6th ed, 2013, LexisNexis Butterworths) JD Heydon, MJ Leeming, and PG Turner, Meagher, Gummow and Lehane's Equity Doctrines and Remedies (5th ed, 2015, LexisNexis Butterworths) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Inlon Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) Celli SpA (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: FM Douglas QC/GR Rubagotti (Plaintiff) IE Davidson SC/RPV Carey (Defendant)