Case: MJA Scientifics International Pty Ltd v S C Johnson and Son Pty Ltd (1998) 43 IPR 275
Outcome: referred to
I am not satisfied that the applicant has established any loss which should be reflected in an award of damages under s 115(2) of the Act . An award of nominal damages is appropriate to vindicate the invasion of the applicant's proprietary right ( MJA Scientifics International Pty Ltd v S C Johnson and Son Pty Ltd (1998) 43 IPR 275 at 281 per Sundberg J) and I award the sum of $10.00. 17 In relation to the claim for additional damages under s 115(4) of the Act , it is appropriate to begin by making the following general observations. First, there is no need for me to consider if an award of additional damages can be made under s 115(4) if no damages are awarded under s 115(2) because I have awarded nominal damages under s 115(2) ( Polygram Pty Ltd v Golden Editions Pty Ltd (No 2) 38 IPR 451 at 459-461 per Lockhart J; MJA Scientifics at 283-284 per Sundberg J). Secondly, it is not necessary that there be a proportionate relationship between the additional damages awarded under subs (4) and the damages awarded under subs (2): Flags 2000 Pty Ltd v Smith (2003) 59 IPR 191 at 198 per Goldberg J. An award of additional damages under subs (4) is not dependent upon the adequacy or inadequacy of an award of damages under subs (2). Thirdly, the matters in subs (4)(b)(i)-(iv) inclusive are not preconditions to an award of additional damages. In other words, and using the flagrancy of the infringement as an example, the Court must have regard to the flagrancy of the infringement in determining whether to award additional damages, but it is not the case that additional damages can be awarded only if the breach involves a particular degree of flagrancy. Fourthly, in the recent case of Flags 2000 Goldberg J suggested that there is a distinction between conduct of a defendant after an infringement (or after being informed that he has allegedly infringed the plaintiff's copyright) and relevant to the substantive allegations against him on the one hand, and the defendant's conduct of his defence to an action for an infringement of copyright in relation to procedural matters on the other. The former matter is within the terms of s 115(4)(b)(ib) of the Act , whereas it has been suggested that the latter matter is a matter to be taken into account in determining the appropriate order as to costs. In Flags 2000 59 IPR at 201, [45]-[46] Goldberg J said: "[45] The applicants submitted that the insertion of subparas (ia) and (ib) was declaratory of the position which had existed prior to the amendments. There is substance in that submission as can be seen from cases such as Carson v John Fairfax &amp; Sons [1993] HCA 31 ; (1992) 178 CLR 44 at 71 ; [1993] HCA 31 ; 113 ALR 577 at 597 and Microsoft Corp v Goodview Electronics Pty Ltd (2000) 49 IPR 578. However, the conduct taken into account in those cases was conduct which was relevant to the substantive allegations made against the respondents. For example, in the Microsoft case the respondent filed a defence which proved to be false. Branson J took that fact into account in conjunction with other evidence which showed an intention on behalf of the respondent to conceal the identity of their suppliers to find 'a deliberate pattern of conduct by the respondents in which they recognised the illegality of the enterprise they are engaged in and actively sought to conceal it'. [46] I do not consider that the conduct of the respondent contemplated by subpara (ib) of s 115(4)(b) is referable to conduct of the defence in so far as it relates to procedural matters and matters whereby the applicants are put to the proof of their case, albeit unreasonably. I consider that these are matters more appropriately dealt with by an appropriate order for costs." In certain circumstances, the distinction may be a difficult one to apply and there is an obvious need to avoid double-counting. Nevertheless, I agree with the distinction identified by Goldberg J in Flags 2000 59 IPR 191. Fifthly, an award under s 115(4) of the Act can encompass damages which at common law would be aggravated damages and exemplary damages: Bailey 53 FCR at 113-114.