The s 56 notice of appeal before the primary judge
66 In its initial or unamended notice of appeal (the "NOA") before the primary judge, Bauer relied on the same six grounds of opposition agitated before the delegate. As to the s 59 ground, Bauer contended that the delegate erred in making the finding at [124] that Bauer had failed to establish a ground of opposition under s 59: para 15, NOA. The particulars supporting that contention were paras 69 and 70 of Bauer's submissions of 12 May 2014 before the delegate and any further particulars to be provided once the evidence had been put on: para 15, NOA.
67 At para 16, Bauer asserted that the delegate erred in finding at [121] that Evergreen "had used the Opposed Mark".
68 At para 17, Bauer contended that the delegate erred in failing to find that any use by Evergreen "inured to the benefit" of Bauer. Bauer also contended that the delegate erred in finding at [123] that the What's up Downunder trade mark was intended for and applied to a "different type of product to the Discover Downunder television series".
69 At para 19, Bauer contended that the delegate should have found that the ground under s 59 was made out.
70 The non-use proceedings were filed on 11 June 2015. Those proceedings were heard together with the opposition appeal proceeding. In all, a substantial body of evidence was put on. Mr Falconer was required for cross-examination by Evergreen. Colin Parrôt, Warren Parrôt and another deponent, Mr Peter Wright, were required for cross-examination by Bauer.
71 As to Bauer's evidence, Bauer relied upon the affidavits of Keith Falconer sworn 17 June 2015 and 7 September 2015 in the s 56 opposition appeal proceeding and the affidavits of Keith Falconer of 6 October 2015 and 10 November 2015 in the non-use proceedings. Bauer also relied upon two earlier declarations of Keith Falconer sworn 21 December 2011 and 7 December 2012. It also relied on an affidavit of Macek Rubetzki sworn 2 October 2015 and an earlier declaration sworn 15 November 2011. Evergreen relied on two affidavits of Colin Parrôt sworn 10 August 2015 and 2 October 2015 and a declaration of his sworn on 9 December 2011. It also relied upon an undated declaration of Colin Parrôt (but probably sworn 13 or 14 April 2012) and a declaration of his sworn 7 August 2012. It also relied upon an affidavit of Warren Parrôt sworn 10 August 2015, a declaration of his sworn 10 April 2012 and an affidavit of Peter Wright sworn 17 July 2015.
72 Thus, it can be seen that Bauer relied on affidavits in support of the opposition appeal proceeding and non-use proceedings sworn by witnesses across a period from 17 June 2015 to 10 November 2015 and earlier declarations made in 2011 and 2012, all in aid of the hearing on the merits afresh before the primary judge. Evergreen relied on affidavits sworn across the period 17 July 2015 to 2 October 2015 and declarations sworn in 2011 and 2012.
73 On 11 November 2015, Bauer amended its s 56 Notice of Appeal, without objection from Evergreen, such that para 16 of the NOA would now be as follows:
16. The Delegate erred in finding at paragraph 121 of the Decision that the Respondent had used the Opposed Mark and should have found that the Respondent had not evinced an intention to use the Opposed Mark in Australia within the meaning of s 59 of the Act in relation to the production of television programs and had not used the Opposed Mark in Australia as its trade mark in relation to the production of television programs.
74 At this point, Evergreen (and its advisers) as a party responding to a hearing of issues afresh in the face of affidavit evidence of Bauer in addition to the earlier declarations, had to ask itself (and themselves) the question: what is the case now being advanced by Bauer against Evergreen in opposition to registration of the trade mark in light of the amendment? The amendment to para 16 tells Evergreen that Bauer is contending for these things. First, Bauer maintained the earlier contention that the delegate erred in finding at [121] of the decision that Evergreen had used the trade mark. Second, the trade mark ought not be registered because Evergreen had not evinced an intention to use the trade mark within the meaning of s 59 of the Act (that is to say, Evergreen had not demonstrated an intention to use or authorise the use of the trade mark in Australia) in relation to the production of television programs. Third, Evergreen had not used the trade mark in Australia as its trade mark in relation to the production of television programs.
75 It is true that the words of amendment introduced into para 16 of the NOA commenced with the words "and should have found that" which suggest that the delegate should have found that the second and third contentions made by Bauer by the amendment should have been the basis of the delegate's decision. However, Evergreen well knew and understood that those two contentions had not been made before the delegate and Evergreen could not reasonably have construed the amendment as adding nothing new at all to the earlier contentions of Bauer before the delegate. To so construe the amendment would have been to render the amending words of addition as adding nothing. By the amendment, Bauer was telling Evergreen and its advisers that the question of Evergreen's intention to use the trade mark at 9 October 2009 was now subject to an analysis on the facts against the statutory rubric of whether Evergreen held an intention to use Discover Downunder as a trade mark, that is, a badge of identification, of its specified services, production of television programs, and as to use prior to 9 October 2009, the analysis now also alive before the primary judge was whether that contended use was use of Discover Downunder as a trade mark for the production of television programs. It was not open to Evergreen, at least so far as it might wish to assert unfairness based on a contention of no notice of the case to be met, to simply ignore the imperative of the amendment because that was not the case made before the delegate. It should also be noted that the text of amended para 16 did not simply assert no intention in Evergreen to use Discover Downunder by reference to the statutory language of "in relation to the services specified in the application". It drew Evergreen's attention to the proposition that Evergreen had no intention to use Discover Downunder in relation to the production of television programs. The contention of no anterior actual use was also framed expressly by reference to use, as a trade mark, in relation to the production of television programs.
76 I nevertheless accept that Bauer could have added, in amended para 16, additional words along the lines in bold as set out below:
16. The Delegate erred in finding at paragraph 121 of the Decision that the Respondent had used the Opposed Mark and should have found that the Respondent had not evinced an intention to use the Opposed Mark in Australia within the meaning of s 59 of the Act in relation to the production of television programs [and to the extent Evergreen had any intention to use Discover Downunder (which is denied) it was only as the name of a television program] and had not used the Opposed Mark in Australia as its trade mark in relation to the production of television programs [and to the extent that Evergreen had use Discover Downunder as a trade mark prior to 9 October 2009 it was use only as the name of a television program].
77 However, I do not accept that it was unfair and/or prejudicial to Evergreen not to go further than the amendment to add those additional words to para 16. That follows because the central contention was sufficiently raised by the amendment as made having regard to the considerations at [74] and [75] of these reasons together with the matters at [78] and [79] of these reasons.
78 Also, Evergreen must be taken to understand that the proceeding before the primary judge under s 56 of the Act is not simply a vehicle for correcting error in the delegate's decision and that the proceeding is a hearing afresh on the merits on questions of law and fact in controversy as framed by the s 56 amended NOA, an amendment made without objection from Evergreen. It should also be noted that no request was made by Evergreen for particulars of the amended ground at para 16.
79 The role of the amendment in the context of the evidence assembled prior to 11 November 2015 and the very nature of the proceeding itself, was, no doubt, designed to put Evergreen on notice of the case as described at [74] and [75] of these reasons that it would have to meet at the hearing afresh.
80 The hearing commenced on 11 April 2016. Counsel for Bauer, Ms Baird SC (leading Mr Fox), opened the case before the primary judge with a very extensive oral opening on the legal and factual issues (T, p 14 to T, p 64) cross-referenced to Bauer's written outline. These things should be noted.
81 Having observed from the very outset of the opening (at T, p 14, lns 19-21) that a trade mark is "applied for and indeed registration rights are ultimately granted or not for specific services", Ms Baird observed that "… [t]his is a specific application and the services are specifically identified as the production of television programs and those services are in class 41" [emphasis added]: T, p 14, lns 21-24. In framing that point further, Ms Baird emphasised the importance of the relationship between the trade mark and intended use in relation to those specified services in this way (T, p 14, lns 28-33):
But your Honour need really note for present that it is important that what we're concerned with in this proceeding is not the use of the name, per se, but the registrability in the hands of this applicant, Evergreen Television Pty Ltd, referred in the proceedings generally as Evergreen, to be registered as the registered owner of the name, Discover Downunder in relation to the specified services, and those specific services in our submissions, your Honour, we've generally referred to S [that is, capital "S"] services.
[emphasis added]
82 Ms Baird then observed that each ground of opposition was addressed in the written opening submissions/outline: T, p 14, ln 43. Bauer's written opening outline by Ms Baird and Mr Fox of counsel is dated 30 March 2016 approximately 10 days or so before the commencement of the hearing. Ms Baird then again returned to the point made earlier (at T, p 14, lns 28-33), and said this (at T, p 16, lns 24-29):
Now, the evidence of both parties has different focus and a different characterisation, we accept, of certain of the events, but it must be remembered that the question for your Honour is what is the position as at the application date in relation to the registrability proceedings and it is in relation to the use of the mark, or the rights conferred on the applicant to use the mark in relation to the designated services, S services.
[emphasis added]
83 Ms Baird then turned to the questions the primary judge would be asked to answer and observed that "as a convenient guide" they were set out at p 5 of the written outline in relation to the s 56 registrability proceeding. The questions and postulated answers from Bauer's perspective are set out at para 18 in relation to the registrability proceeding and at para 22 in relation to the non-use proceedings. Before turning to those paragraphs, it should be noted that the introduction in Bauer's opening outline is in the following terms (reflecting the original emphasis):
A. Introduction
1. This is the hearing of two proceedings commenced by the applicants (together Bauer) against Evergreen Television Pty Ltd (Evergreen) concerning the ownership, registrability and continuance on the Register of Trade Marks of trade mark application no. 1324177 (Application) for the phrase 'Discover Downunder' (in unstylised title case form) (Mark) in relation to the services of 'production of television programs' (the Services):
(a) …
(b) …
84 It is not necessary to recite the formal matters set out at para A1(a) and (b) of Bauer's opening written outline. Issue 2, at para 18 in relation to the registrability proceeding, is put this way:
18. The following issues arise for this Court's determination:
In Australia, as at the Filing Date:
(1) …
(2) did Evergreen in good faith intend to use the Mark in relation to the Services within the meaning of s 59?
Bauer submits the Court should answer this issue NO.
[emphasis added in bold]
85 At para 24 of the written outline, Bauer said this:
24. As the chronology shows, whatever the position in the period prior to June 2009 (as to which the parties are in issue), Bauer contends that Evergreen has not used the Mark for the Services or at all since that time.
[emphasis added]
86 At para 35 of the written outline, Bauer said this:
35. On 9 October 2009, Evergreen lodged the Application. Evergreen did not then, and has not at any stage since then, ever produced a television program under the name "Discover Downunder" for any television network in Australia. It has not, relevantly, used the Mark for the Services.
[emphasis added in bold]
87 As to s 59 specifically, Bauer said this:
Section 59
41. The present case concerns s 59(a) of the Act. The principal inquiry is whether, at the time the Application was made, Evergreen intended to use the Mark, or intended to authorise another to use the Mark, in respect of the Services for which registration was sought in the Application.
[emphasis added]
88 In expanding upon the questions framed by para 18 in the registrability proceeding, Ms Baird addressed aspects of the statutory scheme starting with s 17 of the Act and accepted that Discover Downunder "could be a trademark" and put the point of particular focus in this way (at T, p 20, lns 16-17): "It's then the requirement [that] it be used or intended to be used, and it is a distinct [element] - to distinguish goods or services" [emphasis added].
89 As to s 27, Bauer drew the primary judge's attention to two aspects. First, the section contemplates a claim by an applicant to be the owner (s 27(1)(a)) and second, (at T, p 20, lns 20-25):
And here we are looking at subparagraph (i) [s 27(1)(b)(i)]:
A person is using, or intends to use the trademark in relation to the goods and/or services.
And the reference to the goods and services there is those of the specification.
[emphasis added in bold]
90 Specifically as to s 59, in the context of the remarks quoted at [87] of these reasons, Ms Baird then said this (at T, p 20, lns 30-31):
And then 59, section 59, is concerned with subparagraph (b)(i) again [s 27(1)(b)(i); that is, use or intended use in relation to the goods and/or services].
[emphasis added]
91 At T, p 22, lns 13-15, Ms Baird returned to s 17 of the Act and again emphasised the statutory relationship between the trade mark applied for and "the particular services for which the application is made". Ms Baird observed that no issue of an intention "to assign" arose in the case (a question that could arise in a relevant case under s 27(1)(b)(iii)), but rather the question was whether the applicant "intend[s] to use or not use" and, importantly, as to whether the trade mark ought to proceed to registration or not, Ms Baird said this (at T, p 22, lns 22-24):
Again [your] Honour, registration of a trademark, so we're still looking at this particular question of the trademark as per the application".
[emphasis added].
92 In relation to the non-use proceedings, Bauer explained its contention that the non-use proceedings could be brought whether or not the trade mark had entered the Register or remained an accepted application for which registration was sought: that contention was based upon s 92, s 95(2) and (3) and s 72 of the Act. Bauer explained that because the s 56 opposition appeal proceeding was before the Court, the non-use proceedings were required to be before the Court: s 92(3). Section 92(3) recognises that if "an action concerning the trade mark" is before a "prescribed Court", there may be questions in issue in the existing proceeding that also concern questions relevant to one or more of the statutory integers of s 92(4)(a) or (b) and thus the s 92 proceedings must be brought before that Court.
93 It will be recalled that the non-use proceeding under s 92(4)(a) was said by Bauer to engage a period of no intention in Evergreen to use the trade mark in good faith in the period 9 October 2009 to (a period ending one month before the filing date on 11 June 2015), 11 May 2015 in relation to the services to which the non-use application relates. The s 92(4)(b) period of non-use or no intention to use in Evergreen was said to engage a three year period of 11 May 2012 to 10 May 2015 in relation to the services to which the application relates.
94 In that context, the overlap between the registrability suit and the non-use proceedings was put this way by Ms Baird (at T, p 27, lns 27-38):
The first ground, your Honour, paragraph (a), is concerned - and it's quite specific, that on the day on which the application for registration is filed - so, your Honour, this is where the date of 9 October 2009 has a relevance, both for registrability proceedings and for the non-use proceedings, the applicant for registration had no intention to - in good faith to use the mark in Australia in relation to the goods or services to which the non-use application relates.
Just pausing there, your Honour, in the present case that's all the services of the application. And that the registered owner, that is, the person who would be the owner of the mark that was registered, has not used the mark in Australia in relation to the goods or services at any time before the period of one month, ending on the day on which it is filed.
[emphasis added]
95 As to the case made in the non-use proceeding under s 92(4)(b), Ms Baird put the matters in issue this way (at T, p 28, lns 37-43):
When one comes to the second non-use period, in subparagraph (b), the concern here is the focus on the three years before the non-use application, and it is a query in that time whether there has been use of the trademark in Australia or use in good faith. So they're two aspects there, your Honour. First, there's the question of whether there has been any use in relation to the services to which the application relates; and, secondly, even if there was any use, was that use in good faith. And that takes into account colourable uses and the like, or scintilla uses.
[emphasis added]
96 In the written opening outline, counsel for Bauer, at para 22, put the questions in issue in this way:
22. Accordingly, the issues which arise for determination in the Non-Use proceeding are:
In relation to the First Non-Use Period:
(1) did Evergreen have an intention to use (or authorise another to use) the Mark in relation to the Services at the time when it made the Application?
Bauer submits the Court should answer this issue NO.
(2) if 'yes' to (1), has Evergreen used the Mark as a trade mark in Australia in relation to the Services in the First Non-Use Period (from the Filing Date to 11 May 2015?
Bauer submits the Court should answer this issue NO.
(3) if the answer to (1) and (2) is 'no', ought the Court, in the exercise of its discretion under s 101(3), nevertheless permit the Mark to remain on the Register?
Bauer submits the Court should answer this issue NO.
In relation to the Second Non-Use Period:
(4) as a separate matter (irrespective of (1) - (3)), has Evergreen used the Mark as a trade mark in Australia in respect of the Services in the Second Non-Use Period (11 May 2012 to 10 May 2015)?
Bauer submits the Court should answer this issue NO.
(5) if the answer to (4) is 'no', ought the Court, in the exercise of its discretion under s 101(3), nevertheless permit the Mark to remain on the Register?
Bauer submits the Court should answer this issue NO.
[emphasis added in bold]
97 These questions and especially those at paras 22(1) and 22(4) arose out of a controversy between the parties expressly raised on the pleadings in the non-use proceedings. It is not necessary to recite the paragraphs of Bauer's statement of claim or the paragraphs of Evergreen's amended defence in these reasons.
98 Notwithstanding the amended notice of appeal, Bauer's written opening outline and the lengthy oral opening reflecting extensive interaction with the primary judge on the issues as articulated and cross-referenced to Bauer's written outline, counsel for Evergreen, Mr Stuckey QC, no doubt feeling, by then (starting his remarks at T, p 64 late in the day), some pressure to be brief, saw the case advanced against Evergreen in his way (at T, p 65, lns 24-34):
The factual case which underpins, in the respondent's submission, the trademark aspects of the dispute really raises three separate but closely related factors. One [factor] is the - who it was that came up with - is the author, in the relevant sense, or the originator of the name, Discover Downunder, the mark. The other [factor] is related to that [factor].
[And that second factor is] What is, in truth, objectively speaking, the nature of the contract between the two parties [ACP and Evergreen], because there undoubtedly was one [the second factor]. And finally - and it to a large extent falls off the answer to those first two questions - who from the early part of 2005 was using the trademark in trade or commerce, and pursuant to what arrangements or agreements, express or implied, were the different parties using those marks [the third factor].
[emphasis added]
99 The primary judge then immediately asked Mr Stuckey the following question and received the following response in relation not the scope of the matters in issue before the primary judge (at T, p 65, lns 36-40):
Her Honour: Can I just ask, Mr Stuckey, do you agree with the issues which are identified in Bauer's written submissions at paragraphs 18 and 22 as being the issues that I have to consider? I understand, of course, you take issue with what Bauer submits should be the answer to those issues, but just so that I have certainty at this stage, at least, as to what the parties consider are the questions I need to address.
Mr Stuckey: Yes, I do agree with those.
Her Honour: Thank you very much.
100 However, it seems clear enough from Mr Stuckey's oral remarks from T, p 65 to T, p 72 (cross-referenced to his written opening submissions) that Evergreen perceived the central question to be (at least as to the s 58 ownership and s 59(a) issues) whether Evergreen was the first user/and author and had Evergreen used the mark "in association" with "a program" by the name of Discover Downunder prior to 9 October 2009 and thus whether Evergreen had an intention at 9 October 2009 to continue to do so. Mr Stuckey put it this way in the context of the broadcast of the Discover Downunder television program and references to Evergreen/Parrôt (at T, p 69, lns 21-24):
So in terms of a public assertion of association with the product, it's certainly the respondent's case that that was quite clearly an assertion by Evergreen that it was the person in trade or commerce that was associated with that program and the trademark. There's nothing very much on that to associate it in any way with ACP.
[emphasis added]
101 In Mr Stuckey's outline, no question is perceived as arising of whether Evergreen's intention to use or its anterior use did not involve a relationship with the production of television programs and no attempt is made in Evergreen's written opening to answer Bauer's contention to that effect: see paras 41, 42 and 43 of Evergreen's written opening on the s 59(a) point.
102 It should also be noted that in the course of Ms Baird's introductory remarks (at T, p 12, lns 43-44; T, p 13, ln 1) before commencing the opening address on the issues (at T, p 14), Ms Baird observed that in the written outline "we didn't in our opening, go into great detail on the facts". The primary judge at T, p 13, ln 3 responded: "And I understood why that would be so". Ms Baird responded at T, p 13, lns 5-7 in this way:
Yes. And particularly, your Honour, as indeed in the opening, [as to] certain matters that will arise or may arise in cross-examination I will merely advert to, rather than expose [those matters] in any detail in opening.
103 As already mentioned, the witnesses of Evergreen to be cross-examined by Bauer's counsel were Colin Parrôt, Warren Parrôt and Peter Wright. A criticism is made of Bauer that it failed to identify the matters it intended to explore with Evergreen's principal witnesses in cross-examination. There is no obligation on counsel to set out in either a written or oral opening a line of questioning counsel proposes to pursue in exercising a right of cross-examination of the other side's principal witnesses having regard to the matters reflected in their affidavits (or other matters in issue). So long as the pleadings (in this case, the amended notice of appeal) properly frame a controversy to which a question is relevant, the question can be asked without a need to first identify in an opening address or in a written outline, the line of inquiry a party proposes to pursue with a witness called for cross-examination.
104 Of course, if the pleading does not frame a matter in controversy to which the particular question in cross-examination goes, objection would no doubt rightly be taken to the question put to the witness.
105 Bauer says that a question in issue, deriving from the s 56 amended notice of appeal, taken in conjunction with the very nature of the proceeding itself and the opening oral address and written outline, was whether Evergreen, to the extent it had used the trade mark and contended that it held on 9 October 2009 an intention to use it (or to continue to use it), was, in truth, intending to use (and had used) the trade mark as the name or title of a program (emanating no doubt as a result of a production house, Evergreen, deploying production services to produce it) and that Evergreen had not used, and had no intention at 9 October 2009 to use, the trade mark Discover Downunder in relation to the specified services of production of television programs. It should also be remembered that one of the matters to be examined in cross-examination of Colin Parrôt against the background of the dealings between ACP and Colin Parrôt between 2005 and 2009, concerned his explanation of the reason or reasons for Evergreen filing the trade mark application on 9 October 2009, four days after ACP's announcement on 5 October 2009 that it was making arrangements for the broadcast in 2010 of episodes of a program called Discover Downunder (an explanation that, to use Colin Parrôt's evidence in cross-examination, involved the notion that he "would use this name to rub ACP's nose in the mud by bringing back Discover Downunder as a destination program", that is the name of a television program).
106 Whether Evergreen had used the trade mark prior to 9 October 2009, or held an intention as at 9 October 2009 to use the trade mark Discover Downunder in relation to the specified services or as the name of a program made by it, was, in my view, a question in issue in the proceeding from 11 November 2015. That question formed part of the controversy between Evergreen and ACP before the primary judge even though it had not been a question alive between the parties before the delegate. Because it was a question in issue before the primary judge, it led to the following questions and answers in an exchange between Ms Baird and Colin Parrôt to which no objection was taken by Evergreen's counsel (T, p 513, lns 44-47; T, p 514 and 515). This exchange began in the context of questions put by Ms Baird to Colin Parrôt ("CP") that Evergreen relied upon its use of the trade mark as the title for a program as an answer to Bauer's registrability case and as an answer to the non-use proceedings case.
Ms Baird: Well, Mr Parrôt, your counsel and your lawyers have submitted to the Court that even if you get registered - if Evergreen gets registered on the trademark application, and it hasn't used the trademark - that's the case, isn't it? Since 2009 Evergreen hasn't used the trademark as ...?
CP: We've not been allowed to.
Ms Baird: No, but you haven't used it, have you?
CP: We've not been allowed to.
Ms Baird: You haven't used it. Please answer the question?
CP: No, we haven't used it, no, you're quite right.
Ms Baird: Thank you and you haven't used it as the name of a television program?
CP: No, we haven't.
Ms Baird: And you haven't used it at all?
CP: We have the Facebook registered.
Ms Baird: And that's what you rely on?
CP: And we've not used that either but we've got it there registered.
Ms Baird: And so your counsel are putting a case, as I understand it, as the applicants understand it, that notwithstanding that you haven't used the name Discover Downunder for anything, it should - the trademark application should remain registered and they point to [use] up to and including the fifth series of the TV show and [assert] that Evergreen says it used the name Discover Downunder as the name of a television show.
CP: Correct.
Ms Baird: You understand that?
CP: It [the trade mark] was filed under the category of cut television, yes.
Ms Baird: No, no, no, I am asking about what has happened please focus. If you find a question ambiguous, rather than trying to answer it ask for it again, please Mr Parrôt. …
CP: Yes, if you could please explain it to me again.
Ms Baird: [I'm] putting the proposition to you that you, or your lawyers, will rely on the use that you say Evergreen made of the name Discover Downunder as the name of a television show called Discover Downunder that was broadcast first on Channel Ten and then on Channel Nine, up to and including the fifth series; is that correct?
CP: That's correct.
Ms Baird: And just so I can be clear [about] it, the use of the name as the name of a television program is what Evergreen intended to do with the trademark - when it filed the trademark application?
CP: But it embodied DVDs and things like that.
Ms Baird: DVDs and things like that?
CP: Well, things that were set at a digital - were sent on to websites and Facebook pages and things like that; video clips.
Ms Baird: And you're saying that as at 9 October [2009]?
CP: I think it's embraced in that category.
Ms Baird: If you could just listen to the question, please, Mr Parrôt. As at 9 October 2009, you're saying that Evergreen had intended to use the name Discover Downunder as the name of DVDs?
CP: It was embraced in - yes.
Ms Baird: Is it yes or no?
CP: Yes.
Ms Baird: And that was DVDs of a television program called Discover Downunder?
CP: That's correct.
Ms Baird: Is that correct?
CP: Correct.
Ms Baird: You're now saying that at 2009, six years ago, that back in 2009 …?
CP: Yes.
Ms Baird: You intended to use the name Discover Downunder as the name [of] first a television program, second as the name of DVDs, and thirdly, as the name of a television …?
CP: No, digital loops, videos that were supplied to clients to turn around and use on their websites. They all had watermarks on them with the Discover Downunder logo.
Ms Baird: … it's basically the medium in which it was sent, isn't it? So, it's the TV program whether the TV program, is in the medium of a DVD or the TV program is in the medium of a video loop or the TV program is …?
CP: Digitally put on a website.
Ms Baird: Or a … USB?
CP: Yes.
Ms Baird: And in each case it's going to be the TV program?
CP: Yes, or the Discover Downunder logo.
Ms Baird: Or the logo. And that's the extent of it?
CP: Yes.
Ms Baird: And to be clear, Evergreen has not done any of those things - has not provided any of those products since it filed for the trademark application?
CP: No it hasn't.
[emphasis added]
107 Mr Stuckey re-examined Colin Parrôt and these exchanges occurred at T, p 548, lns 1-26.
Mr Stuckey: Prior to the name Discover Downunder being settled upon, when you put the proposal to ACP in August of 2004, what was ACP to get out of the proposal, if they were to accept it? What was the benefit to them?
CP: Exactly what they did get, which was the ability to sell their various multimedia projects in alliance with whatever our TV show was called.
Mr Stuckey: And how would they go about making the connection between their advertising and the show?
CP: Well, they sold it as packages. It was for them to turn around and sell which included, "Here's a television segment for two minutes. Here's a full page or a series of full pages in [the particular] magazine". … We give you a tape that goes on your website. There's - we give you a DVD that goes into - on sale or on show.
Mr Stuckey: How are they going to identify what the segment was in?
CP: Well, Discover Downunder was - usually had the watermark …
Mr Stuckey: And how would you identify the television - how was a trader going to identify the television program it was selling packages in?
CP: By the name Discover Downunder.
Mr Stuckey: Thank you?
CP: It's the only way they could describe it.
[emphasis added]
108 Colin Parrôt was also cross-examined in relation to the proximity between his having learned of an announcement by ACP (Trader) on 5 October 2009 that ACP was making arrangements for the broadcast in 2010 of the program Discover Downunder, and Evergreen's filing of a trade mark application for Discover Downunder for "production of television programs" on 9 October 2009. This exchange, on that topic, took place between Ms Baird and Colin Parrôt (at T, p 533, lns 42-47; T, p 534, lns 1-14):
Ms Baird: And you have put in your evidence that you were shocked [about the announcement] and …?
CP: Wouldn't you be?
Ms Baird: And you - that's the reason you filed for the trademark, wasn't it?
CP: No. No, it wasn't the reason. I still had belief that I would turn around, and now because I had time up my sleeve and I had only concepts, I would use this name to rub ACP's nose in the mud by bringing back Discover Down Under as a destination program that I had originally intended for What's Up Downunder. And that's not too long a bow to draw. I think it's a lot shorter than yours.
Ms Baird: So that is the name of a television program, but a different television program.
CP: A program that would be around activities within Australia that Australian tourism would boast about around the world.
Ms Baird: And - sorry, that's a television program?
CP: Yes.
Ms Baird: The name of another television program?
CP: Yes.
Ms Baird: And that's your - then you structured your letter to your lawyers to send the letter [a demand letter to Bauer based on Evergreen's contended rights in the trade mark Discover Downunder]?
CP: Yes.
[emphasis added]
109 The hearing of both proceedings took place for five days initially between 11 April 2016 and 15 April 2016. Day 6 was on 3 May 2016 and final closing submissions occurred on day 7 on 25 July 2016. Leading up to closing oral submissions, counsel for Bauer relied upon a written outline of closing submissions dated 17 May 2016. In its closing written submissions, Bauer restated all of the matters previously quoted from its opening submissions. At para 20, Bauer also said this:
In determining the above issues [that is, the issues arising in the s 56 appeal proceeding], the Court is concerned with use of the Mark, and/or intention to use the Mark, in relation to the specified Services. The Court is not concerned with adoption of the Mark simpliciter, nor with use of and/or intention to use the Mark other than in relation to the specified services.
[emphasis added]
110 At paras 52 and 53, Bauer said this:
52. Mr Colin Parrôt was adamant. As asserted in cross-examination, his expressed intention, as the controlling mind of Evergreen, was that Evergreen intended, at most (whether or not acting in good faith), to use the Mark as the name of a television program, whatever the media it could be delivered in: DVD, on a USB, in video or digitally via a website or, presumably, on film. As he confirmed at T515.35: that is the extent of it.
53. At most, at any time (and without conceding that such an assertion establishes an intention to use in good faith), Evergreen has only asserted an intention to name a product - a television program - Discover Downunder. Such an intention is not any intention to provide the Services of the Application: 'production of television programs'. It must follow that the Application cannot be accepted: Evergreen did not have, and does not have, the requisite threshold intention for ownership under s 58, nor an intention to use in good faith within the meaning of s 59 (as to the legal principles see below …). It follows, there not having been any use of the Mark in relation to the Services in either Non-Use Period, that the Mark should not remain on the Register.
[emphasis added]
111 In Evergreen's closing written submissions before the primary judge, Evergreen at para 2 identified the question in relation to s 59 in this way:
In Australia, as at the Filing Date:
(1) …
(2) did Evergreen in good faith intend to use the Mark in relation to the Services within the meaning of s 59?
112 In relation to the question of whether Evergreen had used, and had on 9 October 2009 an intention to continue to use, the trade mark as the name of a program, these observations from Evergreen's written closing submissions should be noted:
67. The evidence on behalf of Evergreen is that it intended [on 9 October 2009] to continue to use the name for its outback lifestyle programs. That is intrinsically likely. The reason it used the name "What's Up Downunder", earlier reserved for a different program, was the impossibility in persuading a rival station to broadcast a program called "Discover Downunder" when ACP and Channel Nine were broadcasting a program under the same name and asserting the exclusive right to do so.
68. Bauer contends that having used the mark as the name [of] a television program, and intending to continue to use the mark as the name of a television program, there was no intention to use the name in respect of television production.
69. Bauer's contention on this point is essentially that, having used its commercial power to prevent Evergreen from using the mark, there should be inferred from that circumstance a lack of intention on the part of Evergreen to use it. That does not follow, and the argument reflects a tendency on Bauer's part to seek to advantage itself by its own wrongful conduct.
70. Bauer seeks to rely upon Colin Parrôt's evidence that in 2009 he intended to use the name "Discover Downunder" in relation to a television program to be produced and broadcast and disseminated by a variety of different media. It is clear from the evidence that the television program would be produced by Evergreen or under licence by one of its associated companies. A television program is not a "good" in the way that a pair of jeans or a television is. The finished product, regarded as an entertainment, is essentially a service. The production and distribution of such a program falls within the description of the service of producing television programs, at least sufficiently closely to satisfy the question of intention. This is a ground, sought to be developed for the first time during cross-examination, that is, with respect, lacking in merit.
71. The facts demonstrate an ongoing intention on the part of Evergreen to continue using the mark after October 2009.
[emphasis added]
113 Although, of course, the reasons for judgment of the primary judge are the reasons explanatory of the orders of 12 May 2017 dismissing both the s 56 appeal (and therefore dismissal of the s 59(a) ground of opposition), and the non-use proceedings, the following exchanges between the primary judge and Bauer's counsel in the course of Ms Baird's reply should be noted, having regard to the matters ultimately set out at section 7.4.2 of the primary judge's reasons in refusing to allow Bauer to contend that Evergreen had no intention on 9 October 2009 to use the trade mark in relation to the services of production of television programs. I will then, of course, turn to those reasons after mentioning these matters. Before doing those things, I will note Evergreen's submissions before the primary judge on the question now in issue.
114 Mr Stuckey, Evergreen's counsel, in oral submissions on 25 July 2016, said this (at T, p 74, lns 41-46; T, p 75, lns 1-17; the transcript references for the oral submissions on 25 July 2016 commence at p 1 rather than continuing from 3 May 2016 which ended at p 694):
Mr Stuckey: If I might start with the if I may term it the new issue, which arises for the first time in … paragraph 53 of the final submissions [and] expanded in the reply submissions of 6 June, in a way, to become the principal argument [for Bauer], [to] say that the use of a name … for a television program is not the use of that name in relation to the production of a television [program], is at first sight, surprising. That seems to be an unusual way of using language to suggest that [such use] is not a use of the name in relation to the production of a television program. … [T]he argument that is being advanced is, in my submission, fairly and squarely a question of construction of the words that are being used for the description of the services.
PJ: There is, it seems to me a question of construction of the words used.
Mr Stuckey: And it has been open from the very beginning of this argument for Bauer to suggest that the meaning of those words did not encompass what … Evergreen intended to claim.
[emphasis added]
115 Mr Stuckey said that he would wish to refer to the way in which the manner was conducted by Bauer before the delegate and "the way in which this proceeding has proceeded without this issue being raised, until after the evidence had concluded" (at T, p 75, lns 22-27). Mr Stuckey contended that Evergreen would be prejudiced by the "late raising of the issue" and contended that Bauer ought not be permitted to raise the issue. Mr Stuckey contended that had the issue been "raised below" (that is, before the delegate) "there would have been the opportunity to seek to amend the application to correct the language, if it needed correcting, to correspond with what it was everyone understood we were seeking" (at T, p 75, lns 39-42). Mr Stuckey contended that Evergreen had been deprived of the opportunity to produce evidence as to the "trade meaning" of the term "production of television programs" for the purpose of construing the issue (at T, p 75, lns 42-44). Mr Stuckey contended that the matter of "fundamental significance" was that the "new argument" only "surfaced at the very end of the evidence". Mr Stuckey added (at T p 75, ln 47; T, p 76, lns 1-2) that: "And it is not without significance, in my submission, that both parties and the delegate in the Trademarks Office saw no difficulty with the meaning of this expression during the six years the proceeding was before them". Mr Stuckey also said this (at T, p 76, lns 4-9):
In construing the ordinary English meaning of that phrase, it is again not without significance that it wasn't until after the factual matters had been heard in this proceeding that it occurred to anyone that it might be possible to argue that those words have a different meaning from the one that everyone assumed they did. That is powerful evidence that the new argument - the new construction sought to be advanced is not, in fact, the natural and ordinary English meaning of the expression.
[emphasis added]
116 In Ms Baird's reply (at T, p 144, lns 19-24) she observed, in relation to the "specification" in the trade mark application, that Evergreen, by contending that use of the trade mark as the name of a program involved use of the trade mark "in relation to the service specified in the application", was asking the Court, in effect, to "rewrite the specification to delete the words 'production of'" and there was no application from Evergreen to amend the specification. Ms Baird observed that any such application must fail because it would affect third parties.
117 The primary judge asked Ms Baird to address the question of whether leave was necessary to enable Bauer to rely on the point of no intention to use the trade mark in relation to specified services, and to address the question of prejudice suffered by Evergreen "as a result of the late raising of this issue": T, p 144, lns 26-27. Ms Baird observed that "there is no need for leave" and "there is no prejudice" and "production of television programs is what Evergreen sought to claim": T, p 144, lns 29-31.
118 The primary judge observed (at T, p 144, lns 33-34) that "nobody seemed to be in any doubt though, as to what that meant when it was before the registrar" [emphasis added]. Ms Baird responded (at T, p 144, lns 36-40): "The question is section 58, section 59, section 60, 62A and 42 and non-use, and that turns on, as my opening submissions made clear, on a question [of] … all that is being sought is an application to register the mark for the specified services" [emphasis added].
119 The primary judge asked Ms Baird to comment on the point "that if this point had been raised before the registrar, or even earlier in this case, [Evergreen] might have sought to lead expert evidence as to what the meaning of that phrase is": T, p 144, lns 45-47. Ms Baird observed that it is not a question of "expert evidence" and "[t]here's no suggestion that the phrase has anything other than its ordinary meaning and that is an objective question": T, p 145, lns 1-3. The primary judge observed (at T, p 145, lns 11-13) that Evergreen contends that "it fits within [that is, use of the trade mark as the name of a program fits within the notion of production of television programs] the natural and ordinary meaning [of the specified services], but that he [Evergreen] has been deprived of the opportunity, the matter being put in issue, to call any expert evidence".
120 Ms Baird responded by observing (at T, p 145, lns 19-46) that, first of all, "production of television programs is what Evergreen sought" and "[i]t did not seek to specify television entertainment or TV programs". Ms Baird observed that Class 41 services can comprehend a range of entertainment services and Class 38 comprehends transmission and other services. Ms Baird observed that the evidence put forward by Evergreen "is that it is certainly open to persons in the field and in the industry to … specify what they want to do, and specify, for example, that they want to claim television entertainment or that they claim entertainment in the nature of TV programs by pay or subscription or free to air television" [emphasis added]. However, "Evergreen did not" (at T, p 145, lns 43-46).
121 The primary judge then observed (at T, p 146, lns 2-4) that the notice of appeal did not seem to "fairly … raise this issue, and the issue does appear to have been raised in closing submissions" [emphasis added].
122 In response, Ms Baird said this (at T, p 146, lns 6-13) and the primary judge ("PJ") responded (at T, p 146, lns 15-18) as follows:
Ms Baird: With respect, your Honour, the issue was not just raised in closing submissions. It has been up front and forefront in my opening submissions [the written outline] and orally, and may I take your Honour through to that, but also say that my friend is [confusing] if you like, … the class that it says and what it is that in fact Evergreen has claimed. What I can say at the conclusion of the trial is that the statements in opening submissions and on the amended notice of appeal, [are] where we clearly identified that there was no intention in relation to the production of television programs …
PJ: I read that ambiguously, I have to say, when I read it, it could have meant one of two things, if I go back to the notice of appeal, because the amendment could have meant not evinced an intention to use the mark. It doesn't necessarily raise any issue as to construction.
[emphasis added]
123 This exchange then followed (at T, p 146, lns 20-44; T, p 147, lns 4-21):
Ms Baird: Well, yes, your Honour.
PJ: I must say, in the way it had been argued earlier and given your reliance on evidence which was oral evidence adduced in the course of the trial [by which the primary judge seems to be referring to answers by Colin Parrôt in cross-examination], as I understand it, I don't see why one would have read that in the way that you now contend.
Ms Baird: Well, your Honour, with respect, paragraph 16 says:
[s]hould have found that the respondent had not evinced an intention to use the mark - opposed mark in Australia within the meaning of section 59 in relation to the production of television programs …
PJ: … ambiguous.
Ms Baird: … and [had] not used the opposed mark in Australia as its trademark in relation to the production of television programs.
With respect, we could not have been clearer.
PJ: I really don't see that as being so crystal clear and, if it was crystal clear, why was it not spelt out in opening submissions?
Ms Baird: … [W]hat we have done here is to make good what we put in terms in opening submissions from the very first paragraph.
PJ: So where is it raised in your opening outline?
Ms Baird: Your Honour, paragraph 1, production - the services of production of television programs; the services.
PJ: I just don't see that raising squarely and fairly the issue in paragraph 16.
Ms Baird: The very issue of the production of television programs. I am sorry, your Honour, we cannot make it any clearer.
PJ: But that's just quoting the words of the application.
Ms Baird: But those are. That is. That is the specification.
PJ: Ms Baird, you don't fairly and squarely, as I currently see it, raise the question of construction, and to point to a quotation of the words used in the application and the fact that they're quoted in bold, doesn't, to my mind, fairly and squarely raise the construction issue.
[emphasis added]
124 The primary judge pressed Ms Baird with the propositions reflected in the above transcript and as to the issue of failing to identify precisely the line of questioning to be examined with the witnesses called for cross-examination, Ms Baird said this (at T, p 147, lns 41-46):
… what I was trying to get at when I said to the Court I don't want to go into this further because it will be the subject of cross-examination of Mr Colin Parrôt and … I wanted to find out what it is he says he's doing, what it is he says he intends to do. How can I make that good, other than writing exactly [the] specification of services. It is express, it is …
125 It will be recalled from these reasons at [102] that Ms Baird explained that Bauer in the opening address did not go into great detail on the facts and the primary judge responded by saying that her Honour understood why that was so. Ms Baird responded by affirming that position particularly as, so far as the opening was concerned, certain matters would arise or may arise which would be the subject of cross-examination with the result that Ms Baird would merely advert to, rather than expose, those matters in any detail in the opening.
126 The primary judge then turned to Bauer's non-use case "in relation to use of the mark as a name" (at T, p 148, lns 1-6) although Ms Baird observed (at T, p 148, ln 8) that Bauer's case is non-use of the mark "as the mark for the services". Ms Baird sought to explain the essence of Bauer's contentions in this way (at T, p 148, lns 40-47; T, p 148, lns 3-10):
… [W]e say fairly and squarely, Evergreen did not intend to use, and has not used, the mark as the name for the specified services; production of television programs. [First Track] Second Track, Evergreen did not intend, at the filing date, to use the mark for the specified services - well, for anything. Whether it is the specified services or the name, TV as a TV program, at the filing date Evergreen had no intention in good faith, on the balance of probabilities, on the extent to which we need to establish our case in the appeal, whether that be for production of television programs or whether that be the name of a TV program.
On one … - line we say that … because [Evergreen] has moved its intention to What's Up Downunder and we look at the chronology. On the second line we say because production of TV programs is what it has always used Evergreen for, it continues to use Evergreen … Parable Productions has made clear in cross-examination that the limit of its intent, even on its case, was only as the title. Then we come to non-use, it doesn't matter which limb you go down, whether it be the name of the program or whether it be the name for the production of TV programs, Evergreen, at the filing date, did not intend to use it.
127 The primary judge (at T, p 149, lns 25-28) asked Ms Baird what she would wish to say on the question of leave if her Honour considered that "the issue" was not fairly raised. Ms Baird observed (at T, p 149, lns 30-31) that "first of all, there [are] some transcript references where I did repeat the matter [that is, the contention constituting the question in issue]". Ms Baird (at T, p 149, lns 31-36) accepted that:
I didn't say, "I'm going to put to Mr Colin Parrôt that - he didn't intend to use the mark for the services and in fact that he only ever was using - intended, even on his case [to use the mark], as the name of a trade mark - of a program and in fairness, your Honour, it is not for any person in their opening to foreshadow to the director of a company who's sitting in court what I'm going to ask him in cross-examination.
128 That observation resulted in this exchange (at T, p 149, lns 38-47; T, p 150, ln 1; lns 17-19; lns 22-47):
PJ: But is that fair?
Ms Baird: Yes, your Honour.
PJ: I mean at the end of the day you're talking about construing what the application was for. That's what I understand.
Ms Baird: … I'm saying it's not construing what the application is for. It's clear what the application is for. That's where my friends and I differ. It is for the production of TV programs. That's what it says. That's what it's for. If your Honour rewrites it to say, "Well production of TV programs is not production of TV programs [i]t's the name of a TV program", well, then, your Honour, that is a different case and that case, if my friend wants to make application, it's for him to make an application to say, "Well, actually I want to have leave to amend the specification to say … it's actually for the name of a TV program", then, in my respectful submission, whilst he may make that application, that would be to change - expand or change the specification and that is not permitted, and that is not permitted not because of an inter parties fight, but because of the Register.
PJ: No, no, I appreciate why … it's not permitted, if I accept your submission.
Ms Baird: Your Honour, as to leave, in the present instance … may I first of all go to my friend's submission at paragraph 70 of his closing submission where he has … raised it unfairly because in his paragraph 70 … he doesn't make any large song and dance about the submission. What he says is, "This is a ground sought to be developed for the first time during cross-examination that is, with respect, lacking in merit". … He doesn't say "of which we've never had notice". He just says "sought to be developed" and "lacking in merit". …
In relation to leave, … for there to be a matter regarding leave, it has got to be something outside the amended notice of appeal, a fresh point that Evergreen is not adequately on notice about prior to that, and if that's such a case, your Honour would be in fact finding that the amendment of 11 November 2015 is inadequate and, with respect, in our submission, we have made it clear, plain to any trademark person reading the matter, knowing of the trade mark requirements for registration, that is it - we say there is no intention to use the mark for the services that they've specified. …
That is for the production of television programs. We don't have to say, "but by the way … you've really used it for this". We don't even know, or accept, that there was any intention to use it for anything else as at September and October 2009.
Your Honour, we should also note there were no particulars sought of the amendment at all. My friend did not make - it's clear that they did not, at that stage, see any ambiguity or untowardness of it, and the matter proceeded to trial.