Interactive Sports Technologies Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General)

Interactive Sports Technologies Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General)
Court (s) Database
Federal Court of Appeal Decisions
Date
2011-09-20
Neutral citation
2011 FCA 261
File numbers
A-34-11
Decision Content
Federal Court of Appeal
Cour d'appel fédérale
Date: 20110920
Docket: A-34-11
Citation: 2011 FCA 261
CORAM: SHARLOW J.A.
LAYDEN-STEVENSON J.A.
STRATAS J.A.
BETWEEN:
INTERACTIVE SPORTS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Appellant
and
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA
Respondent
Heard at Toronto, Ontario, on September 20, 2011.
Judgment delivered from the Bench at Toronto, Ontario, on September 20, 2011.
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT BY: LAYDEN-STEVENSON J.A.
Federal Court of Appeal
Cour d'appel fédérale
Date: 20110920
Docket: A-34-11
Citation: 2011 FCA 261
CORAM: SHARLOW J.A.
LAYDEN-STEVENSON J.A.
STRATAS J.A.
BETWEEN:
INTERACTIVE SPORTS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Appellant
and
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA
Respondent
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT
(Delivered from the Bench at Toronto, Ontario, on September 20, 2011)
LAYDEN-STEVENSON J.A.
[1] The appellant manufactures and sells golf simulators. It appeals from the judgment of Madam Justice Simpson of the Federal Court (the judge) (2010 FC 1296) dismissing an appeal from a decision of the Registrar of Trade-marks (the Registrar). The Registrar refused to register the trademark HIGH DEFINITION GOLF (the Mark) because it was clearly descriptive of the character of the appellant’s wares.
[2] On its appeal to the Federal Court, the appellant filed new evidence. The judge determined that the new evidence was neither substantial nor significant and that it would not have materially affected the Registrar’s decision, which the judge found to be reasonable. The judge rejected the appellant’s contention that the immediate impression conveyed by the Mark was a precision learning tool that analyzed a user’s swing. Rather, the judge found it was reasonable for the Registrar to conclude that the Mark referred to a golf simulator that incorporated high definition technology. The clearly descriptive character or quality of the Mark precluded its registration.
[3] Despite the capable submissions of Mr. McKay, we are of the view that the appeal must be dismissed. The appellant has not demonstrated any error of principle or law or any palpable and overriding error warranting our intervention. We are in agreement with the judge’s decision for the reasons that she gave.
[4] The appeal will be dismissed with costs.
"Carolyn Layden-Stevenson"
J.A.
FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL
NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD
DOCKET: A-34-11
AN APPEAL FROM AN ORDER OF THE HONOURABLE MADAM JUSTICE SIMPSON OF THE FEDERAL COURT, DATED DECEMBER 16, 2010, IN DOCKET NO. T-1097-09.
STYLE OF CAUSE: INTERACTIVE SPORTS
TECHNOLOGIES INC. v. THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF
CANADA
PLACE OF HEARING: Toronto, Ontario
DATE OF HEARING: SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF
THE COURT BY: (SHARLOW, LAYDEN-STEVENSON & STRATAS JJ.A.)
DELIVERED FROM THE
BENCH BY: LAYDEN-STEVENSON J.A.
APPEARANCES:
Kenneth McKay
FOR THE APPELLANT
Jacqueline Dais-Visca
Abigail Browne
FOR THE RESPONDENT
SOLICITORS OF RECORD:
LOWMAN ASHTON AND MCKAY LLP
Toronto, Ontario
FOR THE APPELLANT
MYLES J. KIRVAN
Deputy Attorney General of Canada
FOR THE RESPONDENT