Sony Entertainment (Australia) Limited v Smith [2004] FCA 1254

Sony Entertainment (Australia) Limited v Smith [2004] FCA 1254

An adjournment application will not be granted in the absence of sufficient explanation for delay, where there is no evidence that the case will be ready if adjourned, and where prejudice to the other party is not met by the provision of security for costs. The respondents' conduct showed no intent to prepare the case, failed to submit meaningful evidence, and offered no security for costs; the balance of fairness and case management required dismissal of the application.

Parties
Applicant: Sony Entertainment (Australia) Limited; Applicant: Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd; Applicant: Central Station Records & Tapes Pty Ltd; Applicant: Sony Music Entertainment (Germany) GmbH; Applicant: Media Records SRL; Applicant: Combined Forces Records BV; Applicant: Tracid Traxx GmbH; Applicant: Dance Street GmbH; Applicant: Kontor Records GmbH; Applicant: Alphabet City GmbH; Applicant: Nervous Inc; Applicant: Wyze Productions Limited; Applicant: Toco Australia Pty Limited; Respondent: Christopher Fraser Smith; Respondent: Tower Records Pty Ltd T/A Slamm Distribution; Respondent: Peter Ferris
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
21 September 2004
Procedural Posture
Civil / Interlocutory (adjournment Application)
Outcome
Adjournment application dismissed
Legal Topics
Copyright, Adjournment of Proceedings, Case Management, Cost Orders
Intellectual Property Copyright Adjournment of Proceedings Case Management Cost Orders

Case Brief

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Parties

Sony Entertainment (Australia) Limited

Applicant

Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd

Applicant

Central Station Records & Tapes Pty Ltd

Applicant

Sony Music Entertainment (Germany) GmbH

Applicant

Media Records SRL

Applicant

Combined Forces Records BV

Applicant

Tracid Traxx GmbH

Applicant

Dance Street GmbH

Applicant

Kontor Records GmbH

Applicant

Alphabet City GmbH

Applicant

Nervous Inc

Applicant

Wyze Productions Limited

Applicant

Toco Australia Pty Limited

Applicant

Christopher Fraser Smith

Respondent

Tower Records Pty Ltd T/A Slamm Distribution

Respondent

Peter Ferris

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil / Interlocutory (adjournment Application)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the adjournment of the hearing should be granted to the respondents
  2. 2 Whether the respondents have provided adequate explanation and evidentiary basis for their adjournment application

Ratio Decidendi

An adjournment application will not be granted in the absence of sufficient explanation for delay, where there is no evidence that the case will be ready if adjourned, and where prejudice to the other party is not met by the provision of security for costs. The respondents' conduct showed no intent to prepare the case, failed to submit meaningful evidence, and offered no security for costs; the balance of fairness and case management required dismissal of the application.

Court Disposition

Adjournment application dismissed

Orders

  • The motion filed on 20 September 2004 be dismissed.
  • The first, second and fifth respondents are to pay the applicants' costs of the motion.