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austlii:cth/ATMO/2025/176
General information, not legal advice.
ATMO
2025-09-03
Original judgment source is linked above.
[1] Unless otherwise stated, each reference to a section is a reference to a section of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) and each reference to a regulation is a reference to a regulation in the Trade Marks Regulations 1995 (Cth) ('Regulations').
[2] Food Channel Network Pty Ltd v Television Food Network GP [2010] FCAFC 58, [32] (Keane CJ, Stone and Jagot JJ).
[3] Telstra Corporation Limited v Phone Directories Company Pty Ltd [2015] FCAFC 156, [133] (Besanko, Jagot and Edelmann JJ).
[4] Southern Cross Refrigerating Co v Toowoomba Foundry Pty Ltd [1954] HCA 82, [4] (Kitto J) ('Southern Cross').
[5] 1964] HCA 55; (1964) 111 CLR 511, 514.
[6] [2014] HCA 48 (French CJ, Hayne, Crennan and Kiefel JJ) ('Cantarella').
[9] Diamond T Motor Car Co's Application (1921) 38 RPC 373, 380 (Lawrence J).
[10] Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc v Registrar of Trade Marks [2000] FCA 177 (Wilcox J).
[11] Macquarie Dictionary and Oxford Dictionaries (online at 1 September 2025).
[12] [2006] FCA 1663, [53].
[13] [2002] FCA 288, [19].
[14] [2016] FCA 313, [17].
PEM STUDIOS MELBOURNE PTY LTD
Kalliso Holding Pty Ltd [2025] ATMO 176
(4) "Whether there is a likelihood of deception or confusion is to be answered 'not by reference to the manner in which the applicant for registration has used its mark in the past, but by reference to the use to which it can properly put the mark if it becomes registered': Berlei v Hestia Industries Ltd [1973] HCA 43; (1973) 129 CLR 353 at 362" (Scotch Whisky Association v De Witt [2007] FCA 1649; (2007) 74 IPR 382 (Scotch Whisky Association) at [52]). Deceptive similarity must be considered against the "background of the usages in the particular trade" (Shell Co of Australia Ltd v Esso Standard Oil (Aust) Ltd [1963] HCA 66; (1963) 109 CLR 407 at 410).
(5) "The probability of deception or confusion must be finite and nontrivial. There must be a 'real tangible danger of its occurring' - Southern Cross Refrigerating Co v Toowoomba Foundry Pty Ltd [1955] HCA 15; (1954) 91 CLR 529 (sic) at 594-5 per Kitto J" (Woolworths at [43]). As such, the mere possibility of confusion is insufficient (Southern Cross Refrigerating Co v Toowoomba Foundry Pty Ltd [1954] HCA 82; (1954) 91 CLR 592 (Southern Cross Refrigerating) at 595). Further, that "exceptionally stupid or careless consumers might be confused does not suffice" (Scotch Whisky Association at [61]).
(1973) 129 CLR 353
(2007) 74 IPR 382
(1963) 109 CLR 407
(1954) 91 CLR 529
(1954) 91 CLR 592
(1964) 111 CLR 511