M.G.X. Asia Ltd and Another v. China Way Global Company Ltd and Others

Read the full judgment text of HCA 2001/2013 on BabelCite. This High Court CFI judgment was delivered on 26 February 2014.

1. Pursuant to the directions of this court, written submissions have been filed by the parties on the appropriate terms of the order to be made, including those for costs, as a result of the decision dated 12 February 2014 (“Decision”). Further, the parties are in substantial agreement on the directions to be made by the court for the purpose of expediting the preparation for the trial of this action. For that purpose, this court has received a letter from Ps’ solicitors dated 19 February 2014,

Cited by 2 cases

Case No.HCA 2001/2013
Court
High Court CFI
Date26 Feb 2014
Judge
Case Document
100%Judiciary

HCA 2001/2013

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE

ACTION NO 2001 OF 2013

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BETWEEN

  M.G.X. ASIA LIMITED 1st Plaintiff
  XENA IP HOLDINGS LIMITED 2nd Plaintiff

and

  CHINA WAY GLOBAL COMPANY LIMITED 1st Defendant
  WONG CHI WAI 2nd Defendant
  LO SUK LING 3rd Defendant
  WONG CHING TAT trading as
KOVIX PRODUCTS SUPPLIES COMPANY
4th Defendant
  KENNETH KWOK CHAK LING 5th Defendant
  CHEUNG WAI MING also known as
MICHAEL W. M. CHEUNG
6th Defendant
  SHING HING TRADING (HONG KONG) COMPANY LIMITED 7th Defendant
  KOVIX PRODUCTS SUPPLIES COMPANY LIMITED 8th Defendant
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Before: Hon Anthony Chan J in Chambers
Date of Submissions: 19 February 2014
Date of Decision on costs and Directions: 26 February 2014

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D E C I S I O N   O N   C O S T S   A N D   D I R E C T I O N S

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1.Pursuant to the directions of this court, written submissions have been filed by the parties on the appropriate terms of the order to be made, including those for costs, as a result of the decision dated 12 February 2014 (“Decision”). Further, the parties are in substantial agreement on the directions to be made by the court for the purpose of expediting the preparation for the trial of this action. For that purpose, this court has received a letter from Ps’ solicitors dated 19 February 2014, enclosing therewith, inter alia, a letter of Ds’ solicitors of even date and a Proposed Joint Directions (“PJD”). The nomenclature employed in the Decision is adopted herein.

Consequential order

2.The disagreement between the parties only concerns costs.  I make an order in terms of paras 2(1) and (2) of Ps’ Submissions in respect of the disposal of the injunction application and the Summons, save that Ds’ undertakings were referred to in paras 3, 14 and 19 of the Decision.  The undertakings referred to in paras 3 and 14 of the Decision have been agreed.

3.As regards costs, I am persuaded to accept Ps’ proposals as per paras 3(1) to (4) of their Submissions as being reasonable and better reflection of the justice of the case.  In particular, the merits of this case have not been adjudicated upon.  Ps are right to say that on the crucial issue to be tried in this case, namely, who was the author of the lock design drawings and owner of the copyright in them, Ds certainly know where the truth lies.  It would not be just to award them the costs of the hearings of the injunction application if it turns out after trial that a false defence has been advanced. 

4.I also agree with Ps that some of the costs incurred in the injunction application will not be wasted, eg, the very substantial affidavits can be used in place of witness statements for the trial (which is reflected in the agreed directions). 

5.In addition, I grant a certificate for 2 counsel in respect of the injunction application.

Directions 

6.The only disagreement concerns the timing for the filing of amended pleadings. 

7.Paras 1 and 2 of PJD should be modified as follows:

1. Leave to the 1st and 2nd plaintiffs to file and serve an Amended Statement of Claim within 14 days from today;

2. Leave to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th defendants to file and serve an Amended Defence within 21 days thereafter;

8.The case management conference as per para 10 of PJD should not take place before the 1st July 2014.

9.Save as aforesaid, I make an order in terms of the PJD.

(Anthony Chan)
Judge of the Court of First Instance
High Court

Ms Winnie Tam, SC and Mr C W Ling, instructed by T C Foo & Co, for the 1st and 2nd plaintiffs

Mr John M Y Yan, SC and Mr Philips B F Wong, instructed by Benny Kong & Yeung, for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th defendants

Other Judgments in This Case

Further hearings and rulings under HCA 2001/2013