Date: 20041020

Docket: A-569-03

A-572-03

Citation: 2004 FCA 354

CORAM:       LINDEN J.A.

SEXTON J.A.

SHARLOW J.A.

BETWEEN:

            BOSTON SCIENTIFIC LTD./BOSTON SCIENTIFIQUE LTEE

Appellant

and

JOHNSON & JOHNSON INC.

and EXPANDABLE GRAFTS PARTNERSHIP

and CORDIS CORPORATION

Respondents

AND BETWEEN:

ARTERIAL VASCULAR ENGINEERING CANADA, INC.

MEDTRONIC AVE., INC. and MEDTRONIC OF CANADA INC.

Appellants

and

JOHNSON & JOHNSON INC.

and EXPANDABLE GRAFTS PARTNERSHIP

and CORDIS CORPORATION

Respondents

Heard at Toronto, Ontario, on October 20,2004.

Judgment delivered from the Bench at Toronto, Ontario, on October 20, 2004.

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT BY:                                              SEXTON J.A.

Date: 20041020

Docket: A-569-03

A-572-03

Citation: 2004 FCA 354

CORAM:       LINDEN J.A.

SEXTON J.A.

SHARLOW J.A.

BETWEEN:

BOSTON SCIENTIFIC LTD./BOSTON SCIENTIFIQUE LTEE

Appellant

and

JOHNSON & JOHNSON INC.

and EXPANDABLE GRAFTS PARTNERSHIP

and CORDIS CORPORATION

Respondents

AND BETWEEN:

ARTERIAL VASCULAR ENGINEERING CANADA, INC.

MEDTRONIC AVE., INC. and MEDTRONIC OF CANADA INC.

Appellants

and

JOHNSON & JOHNSON INC.

and EXPANDABLE GRAFTS PARTNERSHIP

and CORDIS CORPORATION

Respondents

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

(Delivered from the Bench at Toronto, Ontario, on October 20, 2004)

SEXTON J.A.

[1]                These reasons will be filed in each of these appeals.

[2]                In the Order appealed from, the Motions Judge granted a stay of the motion for summary judgment upon two bases:

1.          A press release by the Government of Canada proposing legislative amendments to the Patent Act which would retroactively allow for the correction of faulty past fee payments.

2.          A pending application for leave to appeal to the SCC from the Dutch Industries case which decision would directly affect the rights of the parties in this case.

[3]                We are of the view that it was clearly appropriate for the Motions Judge to grant a stay based upon the pending leave application in Dutch Industries and the appeal will fail for this reason. However, we make no comment upon the other basis for the stay, except to say that it is a rare circumstance where the Court will decline to proceed because of anticipated legislative changes.

[4]                This issue may be argued again before the Motions Judge when the stay order expires next month, at which time the Motions Judge will no doubt take into consideration all the relevant jurisprudence as well as the fact that with the passage of a whole year from the time the stay was granted, the anticipated legislation has not been enacted.

[5]                The appeal will be dismissed with costs.                                    

        "J. E. Sexton"

                                                                                                                                                      J.A.                       

                                                  FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL

                           NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

DOCKETS:                                       A-569-03

A-572-03

STYLE OF CAUSE:                         BOSTON SCIENTIFIC LTD.

Appellant

and

JOHNSON & JOHNSON INC.

and EXPANDABLE GRAFTS PARTNERSHIP

and CORDIS CORPORATION

Respondents

AND BETWEEN:

ARTERIAL VASCULAR ENGINEERING CANADA, INC. MEDTRONIC AVE., INC. and MEDTRONIC OF CANADA INC.

Appellants

and

JOHNSON & JOHNSON INC.

and EXPANDABLE GRAFTS PARTNERSHIP

and CORDIS CORPORATION

Respondents

PLACE OF HEARING:                   TORONTO, ONTARIO

DATE OF HEARING:                      OCTOBER 20 , 2004

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

OF THE COURT:                            (LINDEN, SEXTON, SHARLOW JJ.A.)

DELIVERED FROM THE

BENCH BY:                                     SEXTON J.A.

APPEARANCES:

Ronald E. Dimock                                                                   FOR APPELLANT

David Reive                                                                               (IMM-569-03)

Richard Neiberg                                                                        FOR APPELLANTS

Jason Wadden                                                                           (IMM-572-03)

Mr. Donald M. Cameron                                                           FOR RESPONDENTS                        

Mr. R. Scott Mackendrick                                                         (IN A-569-03 & A-572-03)

Allyson Whyte Nowak                                          

SOLICITORS OF RECORD:

Dimock Stratton LLP                                                                FOR APPELLANT(S)

Barristers & Solicitors

Toronto, Ontario

FOR RESPONDENTS

Ogilvy Renault

Barristers & Solicitors                                                         

Toronto Ontario