Profile
Anthony Franklin SC is a silk in South Africa and in Australia and is also a member of the London bar. In 2004/5 he was a tenant of Hogarth Chambers. He returned to Australia at the end of 2005, where he is now based although he continues to accept briefs in South Africa and the UK. He is a member of Four St James (barristers' chambers in Sydney) and is a door tenant of Hogarth Chambers in London and The Island Group in Johannesburg.
Legal Practice includes all forms of intellectual property (patents, copyright, designs, trade marks and passing off), with extensive experience in three jurisdictions. He has patent experience in diverse fields including pharmaceutical (biotech and organic chemistry), agrochemicals, explosives, engineering (mechanical, electrical and mining) and consumer goods such as nappies.
South Africa -- Called 1982. Silk (S.C.) 1996.
Intellectual Property practice, predominantly patents (e.g. between 1991 and 1997 appeared in 60 of a total of 84 reported patent cases). Also trade marks, copyright, designs and plant breeders’ rights cases. Retained by the BSA, the MPAA and (during the 1995 Rugby World Cup) Rugby World Cup Ltd.
Australia -- Called 1998. Silk (S.C.) 2003.
Intellectual Property (patents, copyright, trade marks, and designs) and Trade Practices practice, with some general commercial work.
United Kingdom – Called 2002 (Lincoln's Inn).
Practised full-time in Hogarth Chambers – 2004-2005. Intellectual Property practice (patents, copyright, trade marks, and designs).
Cases
Principal cases include –
South Africa
Patents:
More than 60 reported cases including Bioclones (Pty) Ltd v Kirin Amgen revocation - erythropoietin; AB Hassle and Astra Pharmaceuticals v Byk Gulden infringement and revocation – omeprazole (Losec); Bristol-Myers Squib Company v Lennon Limited infringement – Buspirone, a tranquilliser; British Technology Group and ICI Ltd v Sentrachem Ltd infringement – cypermethrin (an agrochemical); Delta-G Scientific Pty Ltd v Janssen Pharmaceutica NV compulsory licence and infringement – propiconazole (an agrochemical); University of Newcastle Research Associates Limited v Multotec Cyclones Pty Ltd revocation – mineral separators; Bateman Equipment Limited v Wren Group Limited infringement – mineral separators; Andritz AG v Union Camp Corporation revocation – ozone bleaching of paper pulps; Nitro-Nobel AB v Ensign Bickford Company infringement and revocation – explosives; Speedmark Holdings Ltd v Roman Roller Pty Ltd infringement and revocation – mining conveyors; Kimberley Clark Corporation v Proctor and Gamble Company
infringement and revocation – disposable nappies.
Trade Marks:
McDonalds Corporation v Joburgers Drive-Inn Restaurant Pty Ltd and Others on appeal in the widely publicised “famous marks” case; Cointreau v Pagan International Ltd – the first shape trade mark case to be decided in South Africa; Staatliches Hofbrauhaus v Namibia Breweries Ltd – infringement – “Hofbrau”, another case under the “famous marks” provisions of the Trade Marks Act; Australis Ltd v Sunglass Manufacturers and Distributors Ltd – infringement.
Copyright:
Escom Inc v Afcol Ltd infringement – computer programs; Informix Inc v Informix SA (Pty) Ltd infringement – computer programs; Warman International Ltd v Linatex Ltd, infringement – engineering drawings; Jacana Education Pty Ltd v Frandsen Publishers infringement – copyright in maps for the Kruger Park.
Designs:
Davidoff v Dunhill infringement – cigarette boxes; Space Case Products Pty Ltd v Bantex Ltd infringement – children’s pencil case.
Australia
Patents:
MJA Scientifics v. SC Johnson infringement – insecticides; Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Limited v Bally Gaming Limited appeal from opposition – poker machine systems; Synthetic Turf Development Pty Ltd v Balsam Pacific Pty Ltd infringement – synthetic turf bowling greens; KD Kanopy Pty Ltd v Insta Image Pty Ltd infringement and revocation – collapsible canopies; Warman International Limited v Urethane Manufacturers of Australia Pty Limited – infringement proceedings – pump impellers; Baygol Pty Ltd v Foamex Polystyrene Pty Ltd and Huntsman Chemicals Pty Ltd – infringement proceedings – patent for "waffle pod" building foundations; Sala Group Ltd v Beaver Sales Ltd – infringement and revocation proceedings – fall arrest systems; Expo-Net Danmark A/S v Buono-Net Pty Ltd – infringement proceedings – contact filter blocks; Inverness Medical Switzerland GmbH v MDS Diagnostics Pty Ltd – infringement proceedings – pregnancy test kits.
Trade Marks and passing off (incl. s52):
Toddler Kindy Gymbaroo v Gymboree Corporation trade mark infringement/passing off; Red Bull AG v Sydneywide Distributors Pty Ltd passing off; Lexmark Corporation and Another v Boomerang Imaging Supplies Pty Limited passing off; Mortgage House Australia Pty Ltd v Mortgage House International Pty Ltd trade mark infringement/passing off; Alcon Inc v Bausch & Lomb – trademark infringement; Television Food Network GP v The Food Channel Pty Ltd – expungement proceedings.
Copyright:
Aristocrat Leisure Industries v Pacific Gaming Ltd infringement – specifications and programs for poker machines; Idrawfast International Pty Ltd v Flying Fish Development Pty Ltd infringement – artistic works; MJA Scientifics v. SC Johnson infringement –insecticide product package instructions; SWA Water Pty Ltd v Sepa Water Ltd – infringement - technical brochures.
United Kingdom
Patents:
IMI Norgren Ltd v Tyco Flow Control and AB Rexroth infringement – piston and cylinder systems for breaking alumina crust; Cameron Balloons infringement – hot air balloon release systems (as a pupil).
Trade Marks:
Crystal Clear International Ltd v Safe-Store (Midlands) Ltd trade mark infringement and passing off – microdermabrasion beauty treatments and machines; Kingfisher Plc v Bonnington Plastics – trade mark infringement
Designs:
Crystal Clear International Ltd v Safe-Store (Midlands) Ltd unregistered design right – caps for crystal dispensers
Copyright:
Acted for Joseph Pirzada in a dispute in relation to copyright in sound recordings of early Elvis Presley songs
Membership
Australia: Intellectual Property Committee of the Law Council of Australia; Copyright Society of Australia; Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand; LEADR; UK: The Intellectual Property Bar Association
Qualifications and Regulations
Educated at the University of the Witwatersrand BA LLB (Claude Franks Memorial Prize for top law student – Jurisprudence and Conflict of Laws)
South Africa -- Called 1982. Silk (S.C.) 1996.
Australia -- Called 1998. Silk (S.C.) 2003.
United Kingdom – Called 2002 (Lincoln's Inn).