Bob Jane Corporation Pty Ltd v Bob Jane Global Tyres Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 739

Bob Jane Corporation Pty Ltd v Bob Jane Global Tyres Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 739

There is a serious issue to be tried regarding infringement of the applicant's trade marks, passing off, and breach of the ACL. Use of 'Bob Jane' in the respondents' online business masthead and advertising likely causes consumer confusion and amounts to trade mark infringement and misleading conduct. The balance of convenience favours granting an interlocutory injunction to restrain such use until determination of the proceedings.

Parties
Applicant: Bob Jane Corporation Pty Ltd; First Respondent: Bob Jane Global Tyres Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd; Second Respondent: Bob Jane China Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd; Third Respondent: Calder Park Promotions Pty Ltd; Fourth Respondent: Robert Frederick Jane; Fifth Respondent: Dennis Peter Rigon
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
09 June 2011
Procedural Posture
Interlocutory Application / Interlocutory Hearing
Outcome
Interlocutory injunction granted against respondents. Respondents to pay applicant's costs of the motion.
Legal Topics
Trade Mark Infringement, Passing Off, Misleading or Deceptive Conduct, Interlocutory Injunctive Relief
Intellectual Property Consumer Law Trade Mark Infringement Passing Off Misleading or Deceptive Conduct Interlocutory Injunctive Relief

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Parties

Bob Jane Corporation Pty Ltd

Applicant

Bob Jane Global Tyres Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd

First Respondent

Bob Jane China Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd

Second Respondent

Calder Park Promotions Pty Ltd

Third Respondent

Robert Frederick Jane

Fourth Respondent

Dennis Peter Rigon

Fifth Respondent

Procedural Posture

Interlocutory Application / Interlocutory Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the respondents' use of 'Bob Jane' and 'Bob Jane Global' infringes the applicant’s registered trade marks
  2. 2 Whether respondents’ conduct constitutes passing off
  3. 3 Whether respondents breached sections 18 and 29(1)(g) of the Australian Consumer Law

Ratio Decidendi

There is a serious issue to be tried regarding infringement of the applicant's trade marks, passing off, and breach of the ACL. Use of 'Bob Jane' in the respondents' online business masthead and advertising likely causes consumer confusion and amounts to trade mark infringement and misleading conduct. The balance of convenience favours granting an interlocutory injunction to restrain such use until determination of the proceedings.

Court Disposition

Interlocutory injunction granted against respondents. Respondents to pay applicant's costs of the motion.

Orders

  • Respondents restrained from selling, supplying, offering for sale or supply, advertising or promoting automotive products and services in Australia under or by reference to 'Bob Jane', 'Bob Jane Global', the BOB JANE device, or any mark substantially identical with or deceptively similar to applicant’s trade marks...
  • Respondent pays applicant's costs of the motion.