Assignment 1: Australian Intellectual Property Law

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Assignment Question 1A. As defined in the text, Australian Intellectual Property Law, ‘a typical passing of situation is one which the defendant represents that its product originates from or is in some way associated with the plaintiff or plaintiff’s business when that is not the case.’ Passing off is a tort designed to prevent a trader from damaging another trader’s reputation or goodwill as a result of the defendant’s conduct. It may do this by the adoption or imitation of some business indicia of the plaintiff including; brand name or business name, signs that could easily be associated with the plaintiff’s product, and many other indicia under which a product is being sold. In determining whether the defendant’s (ALDI’s) packaging …show more content…

In particular, if consumers are accustomed to rely upon a particular brand name, it matters not that there is little or no public awareness of the identity of the defendant’s product. Danish Dairy Board must demonstrate that ALDI has made some sort of misrepresentation in the course of commerce or trade to potential consumer, relying on the LURPAK’s reputation and goodwill. As a general matter, under the tort of passing off, Danish Dairy Board could argue a misrepresentation as to the source of claim (Reckitt & Coleman), and misrepresentation as to the quality (ADVOCAAT). For example, In Re Taco Company of Australia [1982] FCA 136 a large United State restaurant chain opened two Taco Bell restaurants in Sydney suburbs even though they knew that there was an existing Australian Taco Bell in Bondi.’ It was held that the UNITED STATE’s Taco Bell conduct amounted to a misrepresentation in the mind of the potential consumers that the new Taco Bell was somehow connected to …show more content…

However, when the question of deceptively similar was raised, the court held it to be deceptively similar. As such ‘an infringement had occurred.’ The idea of being deceptively similar however presents Danish Dairy Board with a strong force to dispute for his rights. The plaintiff may argue that while it has well established its reputation as the most delicious premium butter in the world’ and it has became the trademark for quality Danish butter, it has now been faced with a similar product along with similar name and features operating in the same market. This would raise the question as to whether consumers would somewhat link the two product to have some sort of connection. As such, it is more likely that the court apply the principle of Polariod Corporation v Sole N Pty Ltd on this case, as the facts of the case are so

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