Tao Ti Co Pty Limited v A & T Evergood Pty Limited

Case [2004] FCA 41


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Tao Ti Co Pty Limited v A & T Evergood Pty Limited [2004] FCA 41

TAO TI CO PTY LIMITED (ACN 075 542 915) v A & T EVERGOOD PTY LIMITED (ACN 085 909 342)
N 1513 OF 2003

ALLSOP J
30 JANUARY 2004
SYDNEY


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

N 1513 of 2003

BETWEEN:

TAO TI CO PTY LIMITED
(ACN 075 542 915)
APPLICANT

AND:

A & T EVERGOOD PTY LIMITED

(ACN 085 909 342)

RESPONDENT

JUDGE:

ALLSOP J

DATE OF ORDER:

30 JANUARY 2004

WHERE MADE:

SYDNEY

THE COURT:

1.The respondent pay the applicant’s costs.

Note:   Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

N 1513 of 2003

BETWEEN:

TAO TI CO PTY LIMITED
(ACN 075 542 915)
APPLICANT

AND:

A & T EVERGOOD PTY LIMITED

(ACN 085 909 342)

RESPONDENT

JUDGE:

ALLSOP J

DATE:

30 JANUARY 2004

PLACE:

SYDNEY

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. On 9 December 2003 I made declarations and orders in connection with the infringement of a trade mark, number 670405 which had been committed by the respondent.  The respondent was not present on 9 December and I made directions for the filing of evidence and submissions on costs.  Mr Lee of the applicant’s solicitors has filed an affidavit no aspect of which has been contested.  It is clear from that affidavit that the respondent was warned prior to the institution of litigation of the trade mark and of the alleged infringement and made no response.  The respondent says that it is not obligated to respond to such a letter.  It was not so obligated.  However, the failure to do so required the suit to be commenced.  In those circumstances, and in the absence of any claim for damages or an account of profits, I think it appropriate to order that the respondent pay the applicant’s costs.

I certify that the preceding paragraph is a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Allsop.

Associate:
Dated:            30 January 2004

Submissions were filed on behalf of both parties.
Date of last Submissions: 19 December 2003
Date of Judgment: 30 January 2004
Details
AGLC
Tao Ti Co Pty Limited v A & T Evergood Pty Limited [2004] FCA 41
Case
[2004] FCA 41
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Federal Court of Australia dealt with a case involving Tao Ti Co Pty Limited, the applicant, and A & T Evergood Pty Limited, the respondent. The applicant sought declarations and orders regarding the infringement of a registered trade mark. The dispute centred on whether the respondent had infringed the trade mark number 670405 and the appropriate costs to be awarded. The respondent did not contest the applicant's affidavit which detailed the respondent's prior warning of the trade mark and the alleged infringement.

The court had to decide if the respondent's failure to respond to the prior warning justified an award of costs to the applicant. The court considered the respondent's assertion that it was not obligated to respond to the warning letter, which was accurate. However, the court noted that the respondent's inaction necessitated the commencement of legal proceedings. Given the absence of any claims for damages or an account of profits, the court found it appropriate to order the respondent to pay the applicant's costs.

Justice Allsop determined that the respondent's failure to respond to the warning about the trade mark infringement warranted an order for the respondent to pay the applicant's costs. The decision was based on the fact that the respondent's inaction led to the need for legal action. The court did not find it necessary to award any damages or an account of profits because the respondent did not contest the applicant's affidavit. The final order was that the respondent pay the applicant's costs.

Orders

Orders of the court

Full text does not contain this section.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

ALLSOP J

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Established by: ALLSOP J

Full text does not contain this section.