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34282

Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd., et al. v. Microsoft Corporation, et al.

(British Columbia) (Civil) (By Leave)

(Sealing order)

Docket

Judgments on applications for leave to appeal are rendered by the Court, but are not necessarily unanimous.

List of proceedings
Date Proceeding Filed By
(if applicable)
2015-05-20 Appeal closed
2015-05-15 Certificate of taxation issued to, Mr. Michael J. Sobkin
2015-05-15 Decision on the bill of costs, in the amount of $40,270.42, Reg
2015-05-15 Submission of the bill of costs, Reg
2014-10-15 Order on miscellaneous motion, (by THE COURT)
2014-10-15 Decision on miscellaneous motion, (addressed in the order by the Court on the motion for re-hearing)
2014-10-15 Submission of miscellaneous motion
2014-10-15 Decision on the motion for a re-hearing of the appeal, (by the COURT), UPON APPLICATION on behalf of the respondents for an extension of time to serve and file a motion for a re-hearing and for a re-hearing of the appeal limited to the determination of costs in this Court’s reasons for judgment dated October 31, 2013;
AND UPON APPLICATION on behalf of the appellants for a motion for leave to serve and file a sur-reply;
AND THE MATERIALS FILED having been read;
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. The motion by the respondents for an extension of time to serve and file the motion for a re-hearing is allowed.
2. The motion by the appellants to file a sur-reply is allowed.
3. Without deciding whether s. 37 of the Class Proceedings Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 50, limits this Court’s discretion to award costs in respect of the proceedings in the British Columbia Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, the motion by the respondents for a re-hearing is allowed and the reasons and order of this Court dated October 31, 2013 are varied to provide that the appeal is allowed with costs in this Court only.
4. Notwithstanding the result, costs of these motions are payable to the appellants.
Allowed, with costs
2014-10-15 All material on motion for a re-hearing of the appeal submitted to Justices, the Court
2014-08-21 Response to the bill of costs, (response to amended bill of costs), Completed on: 2014-08-21 Microsoft Corporation
2014-06-25 Reply to miscellaneous motion, (Letter Form), Completed on: 2014-06-25, (Electronic version filed on 2014-06-25) Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2014-06-18 Response to miscellaneous motion, (Letter Form), Completed on: 2014-06-19, (Electronic version filed on 2014-06-18) Microsoft Corporation
2014-06-11 Notice of miscellaneous motion, (Book Form), To permit sur-reply by the appellants. , Completed on: 2014-06-11, (Electronic version filed on 2014-06-11) Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2014-06-05 Notice of change of counsel, Geoffrey Cowper is now the counsel of record with Yael Wexler from Fasken Martineau DuMoulin as agent. Microsoft Corporation
2014-06-02 Reply to the response to the motion for a re-hearing of the appeal, (Book Form), (and to the motion for extension of time), (Electronic version due on 2014-06-09) Microsoft Corporation
2014-05-16 Response to the motion for a re-hearing of the appeal, (Book Form), and response to motion for extension of time, Completed on: 2014-05-20, (Electronic version filed on 2014-05-20) Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2014-05-01 Other book of authorities, (Book Form), regarding motion for re-hearing and extension of time, Completed on: 2014-05-01 Microsoft Corporation
2014-05-01 Motion for a re-hearing of the appeal, (Book Form), and for extension of time., Completed on: 2014-05-01, (Electronic version due on 2014-05-08) Microsoft Corporation
2014-04-25 Bill of costs, A revised Bill of Costs was received on August 12, 2014., Completed on: 2014-04-25 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2013-11-01 Formal judgment sent to the registrar of the court of appeal and all parties
2013-11-01 Judgment on appeal and notice of deposit of judgment sent to all parties
2013-10-31 Judgment on the appeal rendered, CJ LeB F Abe Ro Cro Mo Ka Wa, The appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia (Vancouver), Numbers CA034325 and CA037968, 2011 BCCA 186, dated April 15, 2011, heard on October 17, 2012, is allowed with costs throughout. The orders of the applications judges allowing for certification of the action as a class proceeding are restored, with the exception that the pleadings based on constructive trust are struck.
Allowed, with costs
2013-05-21 Correspondence received from, Linnae Roach dated May 17, 2013. Re: Replacement of the electronic redacted factum Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-11-05 Transcript received, (221 pages)
2012-10-17 Judgment reserved OR rendered with reasons to follow
2012-10-17 Hearing of the appeal, 2012-10-17, CJ LeB F Abe Ro Cro Mo Ka Wa
Judgment reserved
2012-10-17 General proceeding, no information subject to the sealing order was revealed at the hearing Microsoft Corporation
2012-10-17 General proceeding, no information subject to the sealing order was revealed at the hearing Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-10-17 Respondent's condensed book, (Book Form), SEALED filed in Court - no redacted copy received Microsoft Corporation
2012-10-17 Appellant's condensed book, (Book Form), Filed in Court an joint with 34283 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-10-17 Acknowledgement and consent for video taping of proceedings, All parties consented
2012-10-16 Notice of appearance, Michael Sobkin will also be appearing Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-10-15 Correspondence received from, Gowlings re: request for 2 extra reserved seats Microsoft Corporation
2012-10-11 Correspondence received from, 2 reserved seats requested Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-10-11 Notice of appearance, J.J. Camp, Reidar Mogerman and Melina Buckley will be present at the hearing. Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-10-10 Correspondence received from, J.J. Camp dated October 9, 2012. Re: Supplemental book of authorities Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-10-10 Supplemental document, Appellants' further supplementary book of authorities, Completed on: 2012-10-10 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-10-05 Correspondence received from, Gowlings rec'd by email re: parties have agreed that Sun-Rype goes first, Pro-Sys goes seond and Samsung goes third. Microsoft Corporation
2012-10-03 Notice of appearance, John S. Tyhurst will be appearing Attorney General of Canada
2012-10-03 Correspondence received from, Gowlings rec'd by e-mail re: they do not object to the filing of the Supplemental Record Microsoft Corporation
2012-10-01 Correspondence received from, Gowlings dated Oct. 1/12 and rec'd by e-mail re: spliting time for oral argument Microsoft Corporation
2012-09-28 Supplemental document, (Supplemental Book of Authorities - CD rec'd Oct. 1/12), Completed on: 2012-10-02 Microsoft Corporation
2012-09-28 Supplemental document, (Vol. 1 to 4 SEALED SUPPLEMENTAL RESPONDENT'S RECORD and CD) - Consent rec'd by phone from Mr. Sobkin, Completed on: 2012-09-28 Microsoft Corporation
2012-09-13 Order by, Ro, FURTHER TO THE ORDER dated July 18, 2012, granting leave to intervene to the Attorney General of Canada in both appeals and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce for leave to intervene in the appeal of Sun-Rype Products Ltd., et al. v. Archer Daniels Midland Company, et al. (34283);
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED THAT the said interveners are each granted permission to present oral argument not exceeding ten (10) minutes at the hearing of the appeals.
Granted, no order as to costs
2012-09-12 Supplemental document, Authorities, Completed on: 2012-09-12 Microsoft Corporation
2012-09-12 Intervener's book of authorities, Joint with 34283, Completed on: 2012-09-12 Attorney General of Canada
2012-09-12 Intervener's factum, Joint with 34283, Completed on: 2012-09-12 Attorney General of Canada
2012-09-07 Order on motion for additional time to present oral argument, (BY CHIEF JUSTICE)
2012-09-07 Decision on motion for additional time to present oral argument, CJ, UPON APPLICATION by the respondents Microsoft Corporation and Microsoft Canada Co./Microsoft Canada CIE for an order that the respondents be entitled to one hour for their oral argument on the appeal;
AND THE MATERIAL FILED having been read;
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
The motion is dismissed. The respondents Microsoft Corporation and Microsoft Canada Co./Microsoft Canada CIE shall be allowed 45 minutes in total for their oral argument on the appeal
Dismissed
2012-09-07 Submission of motion for additional time to present oral argument, CJ
2012-08-29 Correspondence received from, Mr. Finkelstein dated Aug. 29/12 and rec'd by email re: request to be heard separately from 34283 and 34617 Microsoft Corporation
2012-07-25 Correspondence received from, Gowlings, by email, dated July 25/12, Re: requests 4 reserved seats Microsoft Corporation
2012-07-25 Notice of appearance, Neil Finkelstein, James Sullivan, Catherine Beagan Flood and Brandon Kain will be present at the hearing Microsoft Corporation
2012-07-24 Order on motion to extend time
2012-07-24 Decision on motion to extend time, to serve and file the Appellants' factum filed pursuant to rule 29(4), the supplemental Record and the supplemental Book of Authorities to July 6/12, DeRg
Granted
2012-07-24 Submission of motion to extend time, DeRg
2012-07-24 Notice of hearing sent to parties
2012-07-19 Response to motion to extend time, email from Gowlings dated July 18/12, Completed on: 2012-07-19 Microsoft Corporation
2012-07-19 Appeal hearing scheduled, 2012-10-17, (Early start 9:00a.m.)
Judgment reserved
2012-07-18 Order on motion for leave to intervene, (BY DESCHAMPS J.)
2012-07-18 Decision on the motion for leave to intervene, (joint with 34283), De, UPON APPLICATIONS by the Attorney General of Canada for leave to intervene in the above appeals;
AND UPON APPLICATION by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce for leave to intervene in the appeal of Sun-Rype Products Ltd., et al. v. Archer Daniels Midland Company, et al. (34283);
AND THE MATERIAL FILED having been read;
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
The motions for leave to intervene of the Attorney General of Canada are granted and the said intervener shall be entitled to serve and file a single factum not to exceed 10 pages in length in these appeals on or before September 12, 2012.
The motion for leave to intervene of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is granted and the said intervener shall be entitled to serve and file a factum not to exceed 10 pages in length in the appeal of Sun-Rype Products Ltd., et al. v. Archer Daniels Midland Company, et al. (34283) on or before September 12, 2012.
The requests to present oral argument are deferred to a date following receipt and consideration of the written arguments of the parties and the interveners.
The interveners are not entitled to raise new issues or to adduce further evidence or otherwise to supplement the record of the parties.
Pursuant to Rule 59(1)(a) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Canada, the interveners shall pay to the appellants and respondents any additional disbursements occasioned to the appellants and respondents by their interventions
Granted
2012-07-18 Submission of motion for leave to intervene, De
2012-07-03 Supplemental document, RECORD Vol. 1 to 4, SEALED (there will not be any redacted version), Completed on: 2012-07-12 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-07-03 Supplemental document, Supplemental Book of Authorities Vol. 1 to 6, Completed on: 2012-07-12 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-07-03 Supplemental factum, filed pursuant to rule 29(4) SEALED + 2 REDACTED VERSION, CD rec'd July 11/12, Completed on: 2012-07-12 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-07-03 Motion to extend time, to serve and file the Appellants' factum filed pursuant to rule 29(4), the supplemental record and the supplemental book of authorities to July 6/12, Completed on: 2012-07-03 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-06-18 Response to the motion for additional time to present oral argument, (Letter Form), rec'd from J.J. Camp, Q;C. by fax, Completed on: 2012-06-18 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-06-18 Correspondence received, Y. Martineau, dated June 18, counsel for Infineon Technologies A.G., motion is premature
2012-06-15 Correspondence received, from J. Kenneth McEwan, counsel for Cargill et al in Sun-Rype (34283) dated June 15/12 re motion for additional time for oral argument
2012-06-08 Respondent's book of authorities, (in support of the motion for additional time), Completed on: 2012-06-08 Microsoft Corporation
2012-06-08 Motion for additional time to present oral argument, (1 hour), Completed on: 2012-06-08 Microsoft Corporation
2012-05-24 Appeal perfected for hearing
2012-05-22 Respondent's record, (SEALED Vol. 1 to 4) - CD, Form, service and redacted version rec'd May 22/12, Completed on: 2012-05-23 Microsoft Corporation
2012-05-22 Respondent's factum, including rule 29(3) SEALED - CD, Form, Service and Redacted version rec'd May 22/12, Completed on: 2012-05-23 Microsoft Corporation
2012-05-22 Respondent's book of authorities, Vol. 1 to 5 - CD, Form and Service rec'd May 22/12, Completed on: 2012-05-23 Microsoft Corporation
2012-05-07 Response to the motion for leave to intervene, (bookform), Completed on: 2012-05-09 Microsoft Corporation
2012-05-07 Response to the motion for leave to intervene, (Letter Form), from J.J. Camp, Q.C. dated May 7/12, Completed on: 2012-05-07 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-04-27 Motion for leave to intervene, (bookform), Completed on: 2012-04-27 Attorney General of Canada
2012-03-30 Appellant's book of authorities, (Vol. 1 to 7), Completed on: 2012-04-10 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-03-30 Appellant's record, (Vol. 1 to 5 SEALED + 3 copies of Vol. 1 to 3 redacted), Completed on: 2012-04-10 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-03-30 Appellant's factum, (SEALED + 3 redacted copies), Completed on: 2012-04-10 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2012-03-08 Letter advising the parties of tentative hearing date and filing deadlines (Leave granted)
2011-12-22 Notice of appeal, Completed on: 2011-12-22 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2011-12-02 Copy of formal judgment sent to Registrar of the Court of Appeal and all parties
2011-12-02 Judgment on leave sent to the parties
2011-12-01 Judgment of the Court on the application for leave to appeal, The Respondents’ motion to strike out the affidavits of Professors Trebilcock and Iacobucci from the Application Record is granted without costs. The application for leave to appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia (Vancouver), Numbers CA034325 and CA037968, 2011 BCCA 186, dated April 15, 2011, is granted with costs in the cause.
Granted, with costs in the cause
2011-12-01 Decision on motion to strike out, see judgment
Granted, without costs
2011-11-22 Correspondence received from, Reidar M. Mogerman, dated Nov.21/11, Re: Endorsement of the Ontario Superior Court Justice dated Nov.21/11 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2011-11-17 Correspondence received from, Reidar M. Mogerman, dated Nov.16/11, Re: Decision of the Quebec Court of Appeal on November 16/11 (submitted to panel on Nov.18/11) Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2011-10-04 Correspondence received from, Reidar Mogerman, dated Oct.4/11, by email, Re: sealing order Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2011-10-03 All materials on application for leave submitted to the Judges, LeB F Cro
2011-10-03 Submission of motion to strike out, LeB F Cro
2011-09-21 Correspondence received from, Reidar M. Mogerman, dated Sept.20/11 Re: Decision of Justice Strathy of the Superior Court of Justice Ontario dated Sept.20/11 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2011-09-19 Supplemental document, (Supreme Court of BC decision dated 2011-08-19) Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2011-08-11 Reply to motion to strike out, Completed on: 2011-08-11 Microsoft Corporation
2011-08-03 Response to motion to strike out, Bookform, Completed on: 2011-08-03 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2011-08-03 Applicant's reply to respondent's argument, Completed on: 2011-08-03 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2011-06-29 Book of authorities, (for the motion) Microsoft Corporation
2011-06-29 Motion to strike out, Amended Statement of Claim from the Applicants' Application for Leave to Appeal and certain affidavits, Completed on: 2011-06-29 Microsoft Corporation
2011-06-29 Book of authorities Microsoft Corporation
2011-06-29 Respondent's response on the application for leave to appeal, (3 volumes) (SEALED) 2 redacted copies filed June 29/11, Completed on: 2011-06-29 Microsoft Corporation
2011-06-03 Correspondence received from, Thomas W. Ross, dated May 30/11, Affidavit in support of the application for leave - original copy Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2011-06-01 Letter acknowledging receipt of an incomplete application for leave to appeal and without formal Court of Appeal order
2011-05-30 Book of authorities, (6 volumes) Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.
2011-05-30 Application for leave to appeal, (2 volumes SEALED) (2 redacted copies of both volumes rec'd) Final CA Order missing (form rec'd June 15/11) final rec'd June 20/11, Completed on: 2011-06-21 Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.

Parties

Please note that in the case of closed files, the “Status” column reflects the status of the parties at the time of the proceedings. For more information about the proceedings and about the dates when the file was open, please consult the docket of the case in question.

Main parties

Main parties - Appellants
Name Role Status
Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd. Appellant Active
Godfrey, Neil Appellant Active

v.

Main parties - Respondents
Name Role Status
Microsoft Corporation Respondent Active
Microsoft Canada Co./Microsoft Canada CIE Respondent Active

Other parties

Other parties
Name Role Status
Attorney General of Canada Intervener Active

Counsel

Party: Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd.

Counsel
J.J. Camp, Q.C.
Reidar Mogerman
Camp Fiorante Matthews Mogerman
400 - 856 Homer Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6B 2W5
Telephone: (604) 689-7555
FAX: (604) 689-7554
Email: jjcamp@cfmlawyers.ca
Agent
Michael J. Sobkin
331 Somerset Street West
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0J8
Telephone: (613) 282-1712
FAX: (613) 288-2896
Email: msobkin@sympatico.ca

Party: Godfrey, Neil

Counsel
J.J. Camp, Q.C.
Reidar Mogerman
Camp Fiorante Matthews Mogerman
400 - 856 Homer Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6B 2W5
Telephone: (604) 689-7555
FAX: (604) 689-7554
Email: jjcamp@cfmlawyers.ca
Agent
Michael J. Sobkin
331 Somerset Street West
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0J8
Telephone: (613) 282-1712
FAX: (613) 288-2896
Email: msobkin@sympatico.ca

Party: Microsoft Corporation

Counsel
Neil Finkelstein
James Sullivan
Brandon Kain
Catherine Beagan Flood
Sara Knowles
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Box 48, 5300-66 Wellington St. W.
Toronto Dominion Bank Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1E6
Telephone: (416) 362-1812
FAX: (416) 868-0673
Agent
D. Lynne Watt
Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
160 Elgin Street
Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-8695
FAX: (613) 788-3509
Email: lynne.watt@gowlingwlg.com

Party: Microsoft Canada Co./Microsoft Canada CIE

Counsel
Neil Finkelstein
James Sullivan
Brandon Kain
Catherine Beagan Flood
Sara Knowles
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Box 48, 5300-66 Wellington St. W.
Toronto Dominion Bank Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1E6
Telephone: (416) 362-1812
FAX: (416) 868-0673
Agent
D. Lynne Watt
Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
160 Elgin Street
Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-8695
FAX: (613) 788-3509
Email: lynne.watt@gowlingwlg.com

Party: Attorney General of Canada

Counsel
John S. Tyhurst
Attorney General of Canada
50 O'Connor Street, Suite 500, Room 546
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 6L2
Telephone: (613) 670-6276
FAX: (613) 954-1920
Agent
Christopher M. Rupar
Attorney General of Canada
50 O'Connor Street, Suite 500, Room 557
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H8
Telephone: (613) 670-6290
FAX: (613) 954-1920
Email: christopher.rupar@justice.gc.ca

Summary

Keywords

None.

Summary

Case summaries are prepared by the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (Law Branch). Please note that summaries are not provided to the Judges of the Court. They are placed on the Court file and website for information purposes only.

Civil procedure Class actions Certification Cause of action Passing on defence Corollary principle barring claims by indirect purchasers Whether it is plain and obvious that indirect purchasers in Canada have no remedy under Canadian law where they have suffered harm because of illegal and anti-competitive conduct Whether this case should have been certified as a class proceeding.

The appellants commenced an action against the respondents alleging that they committed anti-competitive wrongs enabling them to charge higher prices for some of their products. The appellants did not obtain their Microsoft products or software licenses directly from the respondents, but acquired them as “indirect purchasers” from re sellers or “direct purchasers” (“DPs”). The appellants pleaded causes of action for the common law torts of intentional interference with economic interests and conspiracy, and claimed damages pursuant to s. 36 of the Competition Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C 34, for breaches of sections 45 and 52 of that Act. They also claimed unjust enrichment and waiver of tort. They applied for certification of a class proceeding pursuant to the Class Proceedings Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 50. The respondents challenged the application arguing that it did not satisfy the requirements for certification. The Supreme Court of British Columbia granted the application for certification of the class action. A majority of the British Columbia Court of Appeal allowed the appeal, set aside the order for certification, and dismissed the appellants’ action on the basis that it was plain and obvious that the representative plaintiffs, as indirect purchasers, have no cause of action maintainable in law.

Lower court rulings

July 6, 2006
Supreme Court of British Columbia

L043175, 2006 BCSC 1047

Respondents’ application to strike out applicants’ entire Statement of Claim and to dismiss action, dismissed; Order granted striking out portions of Statement of Claim

November 24, 2006
Supreme Court of British Columbia

L043175, 2006 BCSC 1738

Applicants granted leave to amend Statement of Claim

March 5, 2010
Supreme Court of British Columbia

L043175, 2010 BCSC 285

Application for certification as a class action granted

April 15, 2011
Court of Appeal for British Columbia (Vancouver)

2011 BCCA 186, CA034325, CA037968

Appeal allowed, certification order set aside, and applicants’ action dismissed

Memorandums of argument on application for leave to appeal

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Factums on appeal

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Date modified: 2025-02-27