Vokes Ltd v Laminar Air Flow Pty Ltd

[2018] FCAFC 109

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Vokes Ltd v Laminar Air Flow Pty Ltd [2018] FCAFC 109

Appeal from:

Laminar Air Flow Pty Ltd v Registrar of Trade Marks [2017] FCA 1447

File number:

NSD 33 of 2018

Judge:

NICHOLAS, DAVIES AND BURLEY JJ

Date of judgment:

16 July 2018

Catchwords:

TRADE MARKS – Registrar’s power under s 81 of the Trade Marks Act to correct an error made in entering a particular in the Trade Marks Register – Court’s power under s 85 and s 88 to order the amendment of the Register distinguished – statutory scheme under Part 8, Division 1 and Division 2 considered – error not made “in entering” a particular in the Register – no power to amend under s 81 – whether valid change of name under s 216 of the Trade Marks Act a jurisdictional fact – Mediaquest Communications LLC v Registrar of Trade Marks distinguished

Legislation:

Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth)

Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth)

Cases cited:

Laminar Air Flow Pty Ltd v Registrar of Trade Marks [2017] FCA 1447

Mediaquest Communications LLC v Registrar of Trade Marks [2012] FCA 768; 205 FCR 205

Project Blue Skyv Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 28

Sea Shepherd Australia Limited v Commissioner of Taxation [2013] FCAFC 68

Date of hearing:

8 May 2018

Registry:

New South Wales

Division:

General Division

National Practice Area:

Intellectual Property

Sub-area:

Trade marks

Category:

Catchwords

Number of paragraphs:

25

Counsel for the Appellant:

Mr IP Horak with Mr A McRobert

Solicitor for the Appellant:

Wrays Lawyers Pty Ltd

Counsel for the First Respondent:

Mr JS Cooke with Mr D Larish

Solicitor for the First Respondent:

Davies Collison Cave Law Pty Ltd

Counsel for the Second Respondent:

The second respondent filed a submitting notice

Table of Corrections
9 October 2018	Para [4] the date “August 2011” be amended to read “August 2001”

ORDERS

NSD 33 of 2018

BETWEEN:

VOKES LTD

Appellant

AND:

LAMINAR AIR FLOW PTY LIMITED

First Respondent

REGISTRAR OF TRADE MARKS

Second Respondent

JUDGES:	NICHOLAS, DAVIES AND BURLEY JJ
DATE OF ORDER:	16 JULY 2018

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.The appeal be dismissed.

2.The appellant pay the first respondent’s costs of the appeal, such costs to be taxed in default of agreement.

Note:    Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011.

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

THE COURT:

INTRODUCTION

1. This appeal concerns s 81 of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) (“the Act”) which states:

   The Registrar may, on his or her own initiative, correct any error or omission made in entering in the Register any particular in respect of the registration of a trade mark.

2. Prior to 17 August 2001, the appellant (“Vokes”) was recorded in the Register as the owner of a number of trade marks.  On 17 August 2001, the Registrar amended the Register to record AES Environmental Pty Ltd (“AES”) as the registered owner pursuant to a Change of Name Form…