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About this NPA
The Intellectual Property National Practice Area (NPA) covers disputes concerning matters such as patents, trade marks, copyright, designs, circuit layouts, plant breeder's rights and appeals from the Commissioner of Patents or Registrar of Trade Marks.
The three Sub-areas in the Intellectual Property NPA are:
Patents and Associated Statutes Sub-area
- Patent disputes concerning the exclusive right to commercially exploit inventions (inventive devices, substances, methods or processes).
- Other disputes, including disputes concerning plant breeder's rights in new and distinct varieties of plants.
Trade Marks Sub-area
- Any trade mark dispute, with respect to validity of a trade mark and/or distinguishing goods and services (including in respect of a letter, number, word, phrase, sound, smell, shape, logo, picture and packaging).
- "Geographical indication" disputes involving a geographical indication or other term signifying a related attribute of goods.
- An appeal from a decision of the Registrar of Trade Marks.
Copyright and Industrial Design Sub-area
- Copyright disputes concerning works such as books, computer programs, architectural drawings, musical and artistic works and other subject matter such as films and sound recordings.
- Design disputes concerning the distinctive shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation of products in an industrial or commercial context.
- Other disputes, including circuit layout disputes concerning layout designs for integrated circuits and computer chips.
Practice Notes
All practice notes are to be read with the Central Practice Note. It is the essential guide to practice in the Federal Court in all proceedings.
Central Practice Note (CPN-1)
The NPA practice note sets out the arrangements for the management of intellectual property proceedings:
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Other practice notes which may be relevant to this NPA include:
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Forms, Rules & Fees
Filing fees for commencing a proceeding in this NPA may apply. Information about Court fees, including the fees payable and circumstances where an exemption or deferral can be given is available in Forms, Fees & Costs or from the Registry.
Parties should consider whether it is necessary to file a Genuine steps statement (Form 16) in certain proceedings in this NPA - see r 8.02 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) and the Civil Dispute Resolution Act 2011 (Cth) (including sections 6, 7 and 16).
The most commonly used forms and rules relating to intellectual property proceedings are:
1. Commencing intellectual property proceedings
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(Refer to paragraph 4.3 of Intellectual Property Practice Note) |
2. Appeals from the Commissioner of Patents or Registrar of Trade Marks
A party who wants to appeal from a decision of the Commissioner of Patents or the Registrar of Trade Marks must file a Notice of appeal within 21 days of the date of the decision.
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3. Applications under the Plant Breeder's Rights Act 1994
A claim for infringement of plant breeder's rights under the Plant Breeder's Rights Act 1994 (Cth), may be commenced in the Federal Court by filing:
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4. Applications under the Circuit Layouts Act 1989
Disputes concerning layout designs for integrated circuits and computer chips include:
(a) Determination of equitable remuneration
A party may apply to the Court under section 20(2) of the Circuit Layouts Act 1989 (Cth) for a determination of equitable remuneration in relation to an eligible layout by filing:
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(b) Determination of the terms of the doing of an act
A party may apply to the Court under section 25(4) of the Circuit Layouts Act 1989 for a determination of the terms of the doing of an act in relation to an eligible layout by filing:
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For further procedural and case management information you should refer to the Central Practice Note and the Intellectual Property Practice Note.
Legislation
The Intellectual Property NPA comprises any proceeding relating to the following:
- A patent granted under the Patents Act 1990 (Cth)
- A trade mark registered under the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth)
- Copyright under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth)
- A registered design / design under: the Designs Act 2003, the Advance Australia Logo Protection Act 1984 (Cth) or the Olympic Insignia Protection Act 1987 (Cth)
- Eligible layout rights under the Circuits Layout Act 1989 (Cth)
- Plant breeder's rights under the Plant Breeder's Rights Act 1994 (Cth)
- A geographical indication or other term registered under the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Act 2013 (Cth)
- Other proceedings under those statutes.
Latest Judgments
- 3 Sep 2024:
Swancom Pty Ltd v The Jazz Corner Hotel Pty Ltd (No 4) [2024] FCA 1006
COSTS - application for review of a decision of a Registrar of the Court as to the quantum of costs payable pursuant to a lump sum award - requirement for a de novo hearing on the question of quantum - whether the question of quantum should be referred to an experienced costs lawyer for inquiry and report - relevant considerations
Judge: O'Bryan J - 30 Aug 2024:
Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited v Commissioner of Patents [2024] FCA 987
PATENTS - application for leave to appeal under s 158(2) of the Patents Act 1990 (Cth) - appeal from remitted decision flowing from High Court equally divided opinion - application of s 23(2)(a) of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) - where proposed grounds of appeal arguable and issues sought to be raised are novel
Judge: O'Bryan J - 14 Aug 2024:
Rakman International Pty Limited v Boss Fire & Safety Pty Ltd (No 3) [2024] FCA 914
COSTS - remitted question as to what, if any, discount should be made in respect of the costs awarded to the respondents/cross-claimant who were unsuccessful on some issues but ultimately successful in the proceeding
Judge: Yates J - 14 Aug 2024:
Fanatics, LLC v FanFirm Pty Limited [2024] FCA 920
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - application for stay of injunction pending appeal - alleged infringement of trade marks - where grounds of appeal were bona fide and arguable - whether balance of convenience favoured grant of stay - where respondent offered terms of partial stay - HELD: injunction order of primary judge stayed for 28 days, and thereafter…
Judge: Bromwich J - 7 Aug 2024:
Light & Wonder, Inc v Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited [2024] FCA 870
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - preliminary discovery - application for leave to appeal - where prospective proceedings concern misuse of confidential information and copyright infringement - where related proceedings commenced by prospective applicant in the United States - application dismissed
Judge: Jackman J - 29 Jul 2024:
FanFirm Pty Limited v Fanatics, LLC (No 2) [2024] FCA 826
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - application for stay of orders pursuant to r 36.08 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) - whether stay or rectification of the Trade Marks Register more suitable course pending determination of appeal - whether stay or injunction more suitable course pending determination of appeal - application partially granted.
Judge: Rofe J - 18 Jul 2024:
Care A2 Plus Pty Ltd (Receiver Appointed) v The a2 Milk Company Limited [2024] FCA 782
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - form of orders COSTS - application for costs arising from interlocutory applications to be made payable forthwith - where applicant has failed to comply with orders to pay security for costs - consideration of whether extenuating circumstances were present which warranted departure from the general position under r 40.13…
Judge: Rofe J - 17 Jul 2024:
Glass Hardware Australia Pty Ltd v TCT Group Pty Ltd [2024] FCAFC 95
PATENTS - innovation patent relating to hinges - infringement - validity - whether primary judge erred in the proper construction of the invention disclosed PATENTS - validity - lack of clear and complete description - classical sufficiency - "relevant range" - s 40(2)(a) of the Patents Act 1990 (Cth) - whether primary judge erred in finding…
Judge: Yates, Charlesworth and Rofe JJ - 17 Jul 2024:
Sunnya Pty Ltd v FPA Group Ltd [2024] FCA 774
COSTS - where leave granted by consent to discontinue proceeding before trial on condition applicant pay respondents' costs - where statement of claim made allegations tantamount to fraud which were withdrawn and contradicted in amended statement of claim - where respondents alleged that proceeding had no reasonable prospects of success and/or…
Judge: Katzmann J - 17 Jul 2024:
FanFirm Pty Limited v Fanatics, LLC [2024] FCA 764
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - trade marks - alleged infringement of registered marks under s 120 of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) - deceptive similarity - misleading or deceptive conduct - alleged breaches of s 18 and s 29(1)(g) and (h) of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) - tort of passing off. TRADE MARKS - infringement - deceptive similarity - s 120 …
Judge: Rofe J
Latest Speeches & Papers
- 1 Sep 2024:
Remedies in intellectual property law in Australia post-Redbubble
Presented at the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand annual conference, New Zealand, by Justice Downes.
- 1 Mar 2018:
Ongoing patent infringement: Is injunctive relief an inevitable outcome? (Abstract)
Presented at the Journal of Equity Conference on 1 March 2018
- 9 Sep 2016:
Recent developments in IP remedies
An edited version of speaking notes used in a presentation at the 30th Annual Conference of the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand Inc held 9-11 September 2016 by Justice Yates.
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Important note: This information is procedural advice only. You should seek your own legal advice about legal cases and procedure in the Federal Court and in this area of law.
