The exercise of the discretion under s 43(2)
37 As to these contentions and cross-contentions, the position seems to me to be this.
38 BAT was substantially successful in the proceeding overall.
39 It is correct to say that the principal focus of the proceeding was, at least in terms of the time occupied at the trial and in submissions, NVS's assertion of a right to registration of each of its trade marks in respect of the Class 34 goods described as cigarettes, cigarette filters, kretek cigarettes, cigarette papers, white cigarettes and cigars. In that sense, BAT's description of the principal object of the proceeding (in terms of the time occupied in the conduct of the proceeding), as one of securing registration of NVS's trade marks in connection with the sale and distribution of cigarettes and cigarette products (apart from those Class 34 goods described as ashtrays not made of precious metal), lighters, matches and smokers' articles (the "related articles") is correct. BAT successfully resisted NVS's appeal as to that principal focus although not so, as to the related articles, and BAT was substantially successful in its cross-appeal. BAT successfully resisted orders for the dismissal of its opposition and the registration of each of NVS's trade marks as to cigarettes and manufactured tobacco products.
40 Although NVS was successful in securing registration of both marks in the category of Class 34 goods described as the related articles, the principal controversy at least in terms of the evidence, was concerned with the relationship between NVS's two trade marks, hypothetical use of those trade marks in connection with cigarettes (or tobacco) products, BAT's pre-existing registered trade marks and the use of those trade marks in connection with cigarettes (or tobacco) products.
41 It is also correct to say however that NVS secured relief by force of the appeal in terms of registration of its two trade marks in connection with at least some of the goods the subject of the application for registration. Although these related goods did not occupy the focus of attention at trial or consume any substantial factual inquiry at trial, it is correct to say that NVS secured remedial orders for registration at least to some extent by reason of the appeal proceeding. Nevertheless, in considering the exercise of the discretion, an important consideration involves making an assessment of the weight and burden in the conduct of the proceeding of that part of the controversy in which NVS was successful (and BAT unsuccessful) and then determining to what extent it is appropriate, in all the circumstances, to weigh in the exercise of the discretion NVS's success on that limited part of the controversy in recognising that BAT was substantially successful overall (recognising, of course, that NVS starts from the position that it ought to pay 70% of BAT's costs of the proceeding).
42 It seems to me that the order for costs should, in part, reflect a recognition that NVS sought the intervention of the Court by way of an appeal and was successful to a limited extent in obtaining particular relief.
43 BAT contends that the value of the relief NVS obtained is, as a matter of practical reality, diminished having regard to the limited utility of the order as NVS is prohibited from applying the registered trade marks to the related goods by operation of the Tobacco Act. The questions for determination in the principal proceeding concerned the grounds of opposition to NVS's trade marks and whether BAT had discharged the onus of making out any of the grounds it agitated in the proceeding.
44 It seems to me that whether the subsequent use of NVS's trade marks, once registered, upon or in connection with the particular Class 34 related goods, complies with the Tobacco Act or not, is not relevant to the question of the content or burden of a costs order in connection with matters arising under the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) as agitated in the principal proceeding.
45 The value of the remedy obtained by NVS is ultimately a matter for NVS. However, the scope of the remedy obtained was much more limited than that sought in the proceeding, at least as measured by the time dedicated to that part of the proceeding, in the conduct of the proceeding.
46 As to the reputation issues, the s 60 ground of cross-appeal, the evidence of reputation, the s 43 ground of cross-appeal and the relationship between evidence of sale of tobacco products in connection with the trade marks LUCKIES and LUCKY STRIKE, the position seems to me to be this.
47 BAT put in issue in the appeal each of the factual matters relevant to s 44(1).
48 Notwithstanding the range of possible outcomes in respect of the s 44 issues, BAT was also entitled, under the Trade Marks Act, to cross-appeal by raising issues going to the ss 43 and 60 grounds. Raising those grounds put in issue matters going to whether each of BAT's relevant trade marks had acquired a reputation in Australia. The evidence of reputation was directed to the sale of cigarettes in and by reference to each of BAT's trade marks; the circumstances of use; the method of description by distributors, retailers and users of cigarettes sold under and by reference to LUCKY STRIKE and LUCKIES; the sale and chronology of sales of those products; and, a propensity to abbreviate.
49 The evidence dealt with the question of hypothetical use (in the context of that historical evidence) of the trade marks LUCKY DREAM and LUCKY DRAW in connection with cigarettes. On these issues, BAT was substantially successful.
50 Although BAT was unsuccessful in connection with issues going to LUCKY STRIKE, I am satisfied that there was substantial overlap in the grounds and the evidence going to LUCKY STRIKE and LUCKIES, in the conduct of the proceedings overall. The question of whether hypothetical use of LUCKY DREAM and LUCKY DRAW in connection with cigarette products would be likely to deceive or cause confusion relied upon the totality of the evidence.
51 Whilst it is true that the evidence of Ms Hands and aspects of the evidence of Professor Hajek was rejected or given little weight, and the evidence of Mr Courtney was given no weight (as he could not be cross-examined), these evidential matters do not provide a basis for reducing the body of costs that might otherwise be the subject of an order in BAT's favour recognising that BAT substantially achieved the result it sought to achieve in resisting NVS's appeal and maintaining its cross-appeal.
52 Although NVS criticises the contended failure on the part of BAT to take its principal witnesses to the substantial body of documentation produced by BAT as a result of the service of NVS's Notice to Produce (material going to reputation, sales and such matters), the position is that NVS contested the issue of reputation and ultimately, in the face of the data, conceded that it could not contend that BAT had not made out a reputation in Australia for its two relevant trade marks although, of course, NVS continued to assert that the reputation did not simply reside in the two trade marks but resided in those trade marks together with the controlled and managed get-up for the product involving the Rondel (that is, the coloured circle), otherwise described as "the whole package" (or entire design and livery), and not simply the two BAT trade marks.
53 I am not satisfied that the issues going to s 43 occupied any substantial additional time in the proceeding or submissions.
54 Having regard to all of these considerations, I am satisfied that the discretion under s 43(2) ought to be exercised by making an order that BAT be awarded the costs (discounted as to the amount) of the principal proceeding on the footing that it was substantially successful on the Appeal and the Cross-Appeal. I accept however that because NVS was partially successful in respect of some of the Class 34 goods, its remedial entitlement, to that extent, was secured only by reason of an appeal to the Federal Court. NVS will be ordered to pay 85% of BAT's costs of and incidental to NVS's Appeal and BAT's Cross-Appeal. NVS's success in demonstrating a right to that remedy (although much more limited than that sought in the proceeding), ought to be reflected in the costs order.
55 There are two outstanding matters concerning earlier Notices of Motion.
56 The first concerns the Notice of Motion which was the subject of orders and reasons for judgment published on 16 October 2008. The parties agree that the appropriate order is that each party bear its own costs of and incidental to BAT's application for security for costs determined on 16 October 2008.
57 An order in those terms will be made.
58 The second outstanding matter concerns the reservation of costs in connection with the Notice of Motion of 25 October 2010. That Notice of Motion addressed two questions. The first concerned a further application for security for costs. Although BAT sought further security of approximately $145,000.00, it ultimately obtained an order for security in an amount of $89,000.00, BAT was nevertheless substantially successful on that part of the application.
59 The second aspect of the motion concerned a challenge to the Notice to Produce issued by NVS. In the result, the Court ordered on 8 December 2010 that the Notice to Produce issued by NVS on 27 September 2010 be set aside. The Notice to Produce was found to be too wide by reason of the definitional term "Report". Leave was given to NVS to issue a further Notice to Produce in terms of the earlier notice dated 27 September 2010 in which the definitional term "Report" was modified to mean "a document being a survey report or market report or market research report which contains findings or statistical data arising out of a survey, market analysis or market research".
60 Although NVS explains the difficulties it confronted in seeking to frame a Notice to Produce which captured the relevant field of documents in a disciplined way, the ultimate result was that BAT successfully set aside the existing Notice to Produce. It seems to me however that NVS did not act unreasonably in seeking to secure access to the relevant documents and leave was given to issue a further Notice to Produce subject to the definitional variation. The issues in relation to the Notice to Produce were heard and determined together with the issues in relation to security for costs.
61 NVS will be ordered to pay 75% of BAT's costs of and incidental to the Notice of Motion filed 25 October 2010.
62 NVS contends that all of the issues relevant to the disposition of the costs in the principal proceeding are addressed in the written submissions. NVS says that additional costs have been incurred in connection with the oral hearing in support of those submissions. NVS also says that although BAT sought to be heard orally in support of its submissions (which gave rise to the listing of the matter for further oral submissions), no order for costs as to the oral hearing ought to be made. In other words, these costs could have been avoided and the issue of costs could have been determined on the papers but for BAT's election to request an oral hearing.
63 If the parties are content to have the issue of costs arising out of a trial determined on the papers the Court ought to be willing to accommodate that position. However, if one of the parties wishes to be heard orally in support of its submissions, the Court, as a matter of principle, ought not lightly foreclose that opportunity.
64 In these proceedings, a significant body of costs is likely to have been incurred and the question of the content and burden of any costs order is a matter on which a party may well wish to be heard. In principle, the Court ought to accommodate that opportunity without penalising any party by failing to incorporate within the costs orders, the costs incurred in relation to the oral hearing.
65 In this case, a further consideration is that issues in relation to the costs of the Notice of Motion of 25 October 2010 were more comprehensively addressed in the oral submissions than in the written submissions.
66 Accordingly, I do not propose to order that each party bear its own costs of and incidental to the oral hearing in relation to costs conducted on 10 November 2011.
67 Those costs ought to form part of the costs the subject of the overall order for costs of the Appeal and Cross-Appeal.
I certify that the preceding sixty-seven (67) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Greenwood.