The case related to copyright and trade mark infringements

Australian manufacturer REDARC Electronics Pty Ltd has successfully resolved Federal Court proceedings against Australian Mobile Radio Pty Ltd, trading as Redfleet, following a two-year dispute involving copyright, trade marks, and misleading conduct issues.
REDARC commenced the proceedings in October 2024, alleging that Redfleet had used REDARC’s product photographs and trademarks without permission.
The case, SAD226/2024, settled on the second day of trial on 21 October 2025 with Redfleet acknowledging to the Court that during the period of 1 July 2023 until 20 October 2025 Redfleet had:
• Used and reproduced REDARC’s photographs without consent, infringing copyright under section 36 of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).
• Used REDARC’s registered trade marks (numbers 988987, 1756106, and 2116251) in relation to third-party products, in breach of section 120 of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth).
• Applied its own Redfleet logo and watermark to photographs of REDARC’s products, creating an impression of an association between the two companies when that was not in fact the case, contrary to section 18 of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
• Represented that Third Party products in photographs on Redfleet’s website were products of REDARC when that was not in
fact the case, also contravening section 18 of the ACL.

Having acknowledged these infringements before the Court, Redfleet agreed to permanently cease:

1. Using a watermark with the Redfleet logo or name on photographs which contain images of REDARC products.
2. Selling REDARC products in bundles with third-party goods.
3. Using, reproducing, or adapting any of the photographs listed in the Court documents.
4. Recreating substantially identical photographs of REDARC products.
5. “Cutting” photographs from REDARC’s website, social media or other promotional material and “pasting” those photographs on Redfleet’s website, social media or other promotional material.

Redfleet also agreed to pay a substantial amount to REDARC for compensation and costs.
Established in 1979 and headquartered in South Australia, REDARC has spent more than 45 years designing and manufacturing high-quality Australian-made electronic products – including voltage converters, power supplies, battery chargers, and trailer braking systems.
The company has used the REDARC name since at least 1997, a nod to the “red arc” spark that inspired its first ignition system.
REDARC emphasised that it invests heavily in innovation, product development, and brand integrity, and that protecting its intellectual property is essential to maintaining fairness and trust in the aftermarket industry.
REDARC states this outcome serves as a timely reminder to all in the automotive aftermarket that using another company’s branding, photography, or trade marks without consent can have serious legal and reputational consequences.
As the industry continues to grow online, the boundaries between genuine promotion and intellectual property misuse can sometimes blur. This case highlights the importance of ensuring that all marketing materials and product representations are accurate, authorised, and transparent.
While the dispute between REDARC and Redfleet has now been resolved, REDARC says it stands as a clear example of why respect for IP rights remains critical for sustaining a competitive and credible Australian aftermarket sector.

For more from REDARC, visit www.redarc.com.au