4093879 Canada Ltd. v. Wal-Mart Canada Corp., 2003 FC 1000

Date: 20030826

Docket: T-1429-03

Citation: 2003 FC 1000

CALGARY, Alberta, Tuesday, the 26^th day of August, 2003.

PRESENT:    THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE TEITELBAUM

BETWEEN:

                                                            4093879 CANADA LTD.

                                       and 4093887 CANADA LTD., a partnership

                                    carrying on business under the name and style

                                   of "NYGARD INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP",

                                                                                                                                                         Plaintiff,

                                                                              - and -

                                                       WAL-MART CANADA CORP.

                                                    and WAL-MART STORES, INC.,

                                                                                                                                                  Defendants.

                                              REASONS FOR ORDER AND ORDER

[1]                 The plaintiffs filed in the Registry of the Court a Notice of Motion for an interlocutory injunction enjoining and restraining the defendants and others from infringing the copyrights of the plaintiffs "in the Artistic Works".

[2]                 The Notice of Motion, in paragraph (e), states, that the plaintiffs "in the alternative, (seek) an order that this proceeding be a specially managed proceeding".

[3]                 The hearing of the Notice of Motion was scheduled for August 27, 2003 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

[4]                 By letter dated August 25, 2003, the court was informed "that the parties have resolved virtually all of the issues described in the motion record, with the only remaining issue being plaintiffs' request for an order that this proceeding be a specially managed proceeding".

[5]                 The defendants' counsel state that their client consents to such an order.

[6]                 As for the reasons why the parties believe the case should be specially managed, plaintiffs' counsel states:

·              Notwithstanding the agreement between the parties to resolve the issues described in the motion record, the expectation is that the litigation will continue;

·              Given the nature of the issues in this action and the impact that those issues may have on ongoing business relations, both parties desire an early resolution which we believe will be assisted by case management.

·              Introduction of garments into the marketplace is cyclical: garments may be reintroduced into the market in subsequent seasons. In light of this, the forward business planning of the parties depends in part on a prompt determination of the issues in this action;

·              We expect that issues will arise regarding the nature and extent of discovery to which the parties may be entitled and that judicial resolution of those issues may be required;

·              For purposes of continuity and ongoing familiarity with issues, we believe the Court will be convenienced by the assignment of a case management judge;

·              The plaintiffs remain concerned that there may be other infringing garments in the marketplace: if these concerns are borne out, ready access to a judge already familiar with the issues will be required; and

·              Given the commercial interests at stake, it may be that the parties will wish to explore alternative dispute resolution with the assistance of the case management judge.

                                                O R D E R

After reviewing all of the documents filed by the plaintiffs and

reading the consent of counsel for defendants, I am satisfied that

this case should be referred to the Office of the Chief Justice to be

specially managed.

                                                                                                       JUDGE             

                                       FEDERAL COURT

    NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

DOCKET:                                                           T-1429-03

STYLE OF CAUSE: 4093879 CANADA LTD. ET AL v. WAL-MART CANADA CORP. and WAL-MART STORES, INC.

MOTION DEALT WITH IN WRITING WITHOUT APPEARANCE OF PARTIES

REASONS FOR ORDER AND ORDER BY:         THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE TEITELBAUM

DATED:                                                              AUGUST 26, 2003

WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS BY:

SOLICITORS OF RECORD: