Centre Ice Ltd. v. National Hockey League et al., (1994) 166 N.R. 44 (FCA)

• Judge: Isaac, C.J., Heald and Linden, JJ.A.
• Court: Federal Court of Appeal (Canada)
• Case Date: Monday January 24, 1994
• Jurisdiction: Canada (Federal)
• Citations: (1994), 166 N.R. 44 (FCA)

Centre Ice Ltd. v. NHL (1994), 166 N.R. 44 (FCA)

MLB headnote and full text

In The Matter Of section 27 of the Federal Court Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-7, as amended;

And In The Matter Of the Trademarks Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. T-13, as amended.

National Hockey League and NHL Services Inc., also known as NHL Enterprises Inc. (appellants/defendants) v. Centre Ice Limited (respondent/plaintiff)

(A-696-93)

Indexed As: Centre Ice Ltd. v. National Hockey League et al.

Federal Court of Appeal

Isaac, C.J., Heald and Linden, JJ.A.

January 24, 1994.

Summary:

Centre Ice Ltd. applied for an interlocutory injunction prohibiting the National Hockey League from infringing its trademark "Centre Ice".

The Federal Court of Canada, Trial Divi­sion, in a judgment reported 71 F.T.R. 5, allowed the application and granted an injunction operable in southern Alberta only. The NHL appealed.

The Federal Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and set aside the injunction.

Injunctions - Topic 1609

Interlocutory or interim injunctions - Circumstances when injunction will issue - [See Trademarks, Names and Designs - Topic 3068].

Injunctions - Topic 1802

Interlocutory or interim injunctions - Requirement of irreparable injury - What constitutes - [See Trademarks, Names and Designs - Topic 3068].

Trademarks, Names and Designs - Topic 3068

Trademarks - Unfair competition - Pass­ing off - For six years, the plaintiff sold and extensively advertised sports clothing and equipment under its alleged trademark "Centre Ice" in and around Calgary - The National Hockey League (NHL) began selling sports clothing under the name "Centre Ice" and proposed to register a trademark - The plaintiff claimed loss of goodwill - The trial judge granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the NHL from passing off its wares by adver­tising or selling in southern Alberta pend­ing trial of an infringement action - The Federal Court of Appeal set aside the injunction - The trial judge erred in find­ing sufficient evidence to establish loss of goodwill - There was no irreparable harm established where any loss would be compensable by way of damages.

Cases Noticed:

Baxter Travenol Laboratories of Canada Ltd. et al. v. Cutter (Canada) Ltd. (1980), 41 N.R. 476; 47 C.P.R.(2d) 53 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 6].

American Cyanamid Co. v. Ethicon Ltd., [1975] A.C. 397, refd to. [para. 6].

Imperial Chemical Industries plc v. Apotex Inc. (1989), 101 N.R. 147; 27 C.P.R.(3d) 345 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 7].

Syntex Inc. v. Novopharm Ltd. (1991), 126 N.R. 114; 36 C.P.R.(3d) 129 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 7].

Nature Co. v. Sci-Tech Educational Inc. (1992), 141 N.R. 363; 41 C.P.R.(3d) 359 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 8].

Good Neighbor Fast Food Stores Ltd. v. Petro-Canada Inc. (1987), 82 A.R. 79; 18 C.P.R.(3d) 63 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 9].

Boutique Au Coton Inc. Bac v. Pant-O-Rama Inc. (1987), 14 F.T.R. 147; 17 C.P.R.(3d) 409 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 11].

Molson Breweries, A Partnership and Miller Brewing Co. v. Labatt Brewing Co. (1992), 53 F.T.R. 280 (T.D.), dist. [para. 12].

Counsel:

John B. Laskin, for the appellant;

Patrick Mahoney, for the respondent.

Solicitors of Record:

Tory Tory Deslauriers & Binnington, Toronto, Ontario, for the appellant;

McLeod & Company, Calgary, Alberta, for the respondent.

This case was heard at Edmonton, Alberta, on December 16, 1993, before Isaac, C.J., Heald and Linden, JJ.A., of the Federal Court of Appeal.

On January 24, 1994, Heald, J.A., delivered the following judgment for the Court of Appeal.