Allen & Hanburys Ltd & Ors v Pan Laboratories Pty Ltd & Ors [1995] FCA 361

Allen & Hanburys Ltd & Ors v Pan Laboratories Pty Ltd & Ors [1995] FCA 361

Given the public and private interests in patent protection, absence of opposition (except for one limitation), and the particular circumstances set out in the applicants’ affidavits, special circumstances exist to release the applicants from the implied undertaking and grant leave for use of the documents in legal advice and proceedings overseas, subject to named conditions.

Parties
First Applicant: Allen & Hanburys Limited; Second Applicant: Glaxo Group Limited; Third Applicant: Glaxo Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 004 148 065); First Respondent: Pan Laboratories Pty Ltd (ACN 001 263 252); Second Respondent: Pan Laboratories Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 063 750 229); Third Respondent: Pan Laboratories Distributors Pty Limited (ACN 003 763 308); Fourth Respondent: James Selim; Fifth Respondent: June Selim; Sixth Respondent: Angelina Iaquinto; Seventh Respondent: Gateway Pharmaceuticals (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 003 809 489); Eighth Respondent: Gateway Promotions (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 002 893 558); Ninth Respondent: David John Bokeyar; Tenth Respondent: Louie John Sukari; Eleventh Respondent: May Sukari; Twelfth Respondent: Bronson & Jacobs Pty Limited (ACN 000 063 249); Thirteenth Respondent: Weinstein Chemicals Pty Ltd (ACN 055 147 567); Fourteenth Respondent: Pacific Resources International Pty Ltd (ACN 504 209 522); Fifteenth Respondent: Anspec Pty Limited
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
04 May 1995
Procedural Posture
Patent Infringement and Related Relief / Interlocutory Application for Leave Regarding Use of Documents; Interlocutory Orders, Joinder of Party
Outcome
Leave granted to use documents in limited circumstances; leave granted to join Anspec Pty Limited; various procedural orders made.
Legal Topics
Patent Infringement, Implied Undertaking, Discovery, Use of Documents in Subsequent Proceedings, Leave of Court
Intellectual Property Law Civil Procedure Patent Infringement Implied Undertaking Discovery Use of Documents in Subsequent Proceedings Leave of Court

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 1 Authorities cited 3 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Allen & Hanburys Limited

First Applicant

Glaxo Group Limited

Second Applicant

Glaxo Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 004 148 065)

Third Applicant

Pan Laboratories Pty Ltd (ACN 001 263 252)

First Respondent

Pan Laboratories Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 063 750 229)

Second Respondent

Pan Laboratories Distributors Pty Limited (ACN 003 763 308)

Third Respondent

James Selim

Fourth Respondent

June Selim

Fifth Respondent

Angelina Iaquinto

Sixth Respondent

Gateway Pharmaceuticals (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 003 809 489)

Seventh Respondent

Gateway Promotions (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 002 893 558)

Eighth Respondent

David John Bokeyar

Ninth Respondent

Louie John Sukari

Tenth Respondent

May Sukari

Eleventh Respondent

Bronson & Jacobs Pty Limited (ACN 000 063 249)

Twelfth Respondent

Weinstein Chemicals Pty Ltd (ACN 055 147 567)

Thirteenth Respondent

Pacific Resources International Pty Ltd (ACN 504 209 522)

Fourteenth Respondent

Anspec Pty Limited

Fifteenth Respondent

Procedural Posture

Patent Infringement and Related Relief / Interlocutory Application for Leave Regarding Use of Documents; Interlocutory Orders, Joinder of Party

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether leave should be granted to use discovered documents from these proceedings in foreign patent litigation and advice
  2. 2 Whether 'special circumstances' exist justifying release from implied undertaking not to use documents for collateral purposes

Ratio Decidendi

Given the public and private interests in patent protection, absence of opposition (except for one limitation), and the particular circumstances set out in the applicants’ affidavits, special circumstances exist to release the applicants from the implied undertaking and grant leave for use of the documents in legal advice and proceedings overseas, subject to named conditions.

Court Disposition

Leave granted to use documents in limited circumstances; leave granted to join Anspec Pty Limited; various procedural orders made.

Orders

  • Leave granted to first and second applicants to make specified documents available to their legal advisers for advice as to, and use in, patent proceedings in other jurisdictions, subject to conditions.
  • A sealed copy of the order must be served on any barrister, solicitor or counsel engaged to advise or represent the first and/or second applicants.