Perth-based computer retailer Info4pc.com failed to show up at the Federal Court, where it was due to fight an injunction over the sale of cheap computers.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) obtained an ex parte interim injunction against Info4pc.com in the Federal Court, Adelaide on January 24 for allegedly advertising AU$499 computers, of which the ACCC claims there are over 3000 unfulfilled orders.
The competition watchdog lost no time in filing a motion for contempt of court - arguing that Info4pc has continued to advertise its cheap PC scheme on its Web site, despite the injunction.
When contacted by the court to explain the 'no show', Jackson Macdonald, the law firm representing the PC retailer, requested a week's adjournment to give it more time to prepare its case.
Although that court hearing has been postponed until February 8, Info4pc will be expected to turn up for the contempt of court hearing later today.
"Contempt of court is a very serious offence," ACCC Perth regional director Stuart Smith told ZDNet. "It can lead to criminal proceedings. We expect that [Info4pc] would appear this afternoon."
Info4pc general manager James Rae, who hasn't been available for comment, issued a statement on the company's Web site "mainly to dispel the rumours and innuendo currently circulating throughout the media and community".
"We have been subject to continual harassment from both [the Ministry of Fair Trading] and the media," Rae said.
The PC retailer offsets the low price of computers against personal lifestyle information provided by its consumers which is collated and sold as market research.
The Western Australian Ministry of Fair Trading attempted to take out an injunction against info4pc last month.
"The Ministry of Fair Trading has been relentless in their quest to interfere with our business and is adamant that we must prove our financial backing," Rae said.
"That compiled with constant threats, insults and slanderous statements would have made it much easier to throw in the towel and walk away, leaving liquidators to -eat up" your money," the statement informed consumers.
But infor4pc maintains that although the injunction prevents it from taking any further applications or spending in excess of AUS$5000 at a time, "it does not close us down".
"All who have applied for a PC will receive one," the company Web site claims.
