I'd be careful. That wiki mentions nothing about me being trademarked (although it did before) and has suspect sources cited at the bottom. The IP status of Intl Klein Blue is not very clear from my personal research into the matter.
The difference being, coloring fiberglass insulation serves to identify its brand, and serves no other purpose.
Red soled shoes are arguably better looking, which is a functional purpose of shoes. So you shouldn't be able to trademark them. Trademarks should only prevent people passing off goods as yours, not copying your function.
Similarly, Apple shouldn't be able to trademark Aluminium notebooks, or single button phones, as they have a functional purpose.
Of course, their is a question as to whether aesthetics is a function, and whether restrictions on aesthetics will limit the function of competitors' offerings. In fiberglass insulation, I doubt it. High-heels, maybe.
When I worked at UPS, they told us the company had a trademark on "Pullman Brown". Not sure if that's actually true or not (can't find reliable info with a quick search).
It is true according to my IP instructor. UPS has a trademark on the color in the context of delivery services, it being strongly associated with their brand.
"lastminute.com", "lastminute" and the colour magenta are all trade marks owned by Last Minute Network Limited and/or its group companies.
The T-MOBILE acoustic logo, and the color magenta are registered and/or unregistered trademarks of Deutsche Telekom AG in the US and/or other countries
I remember Cadbury (the chocolate company) tried to trademark the color purple. I think they failed at it because “purple” apparently wasn't a clear and concise description of the trademark.
You shouldn't be able to trademark colours, but a specific colour on a specific area of a specific item (red soled shoes), that others copy purely so customers are confused about the brand image, does sound more like what is needed.
Yes you should be able to trademark colors. Also, people should be allowed to trademark specific tones, like middle 'C' on the piano. I bought that one, you can't use it.
[+] [-] ltamake|14 years ago|reply
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/31/deutsche-telekom-t-mobile... http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/01/painting-the-town-magenta...
[+] [-] zachrose|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] intlkleinblue|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tzs|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] wisty|14 years ago|reply
Red soled shoes are arguably better looking, which is a functional purpose of shoes. So you shouldn't be able to trademark them. Trademarks should only prevent people passing off goods as yours, not copying your function.
Similarly, Apple shouldn't be able to trademark Aluminium notebooks, or single button phones, as they have a functional purpose.
Of course, their is a question as to whether aesthetics is a function, and whether restrictions on aesthetics will limit the function of competitors' offerings. In fiberglass insulation, I doubt it. High-heels, maybe.
[+] [-] halo|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bragen|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] georgemcbay|14 years ago|reply
The article also details why that case is different from the one the article is about.
[+] [-] callmeed|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] colanderman|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] nmcfarl|14 years ago|reply
This use of red seems very different from contrasting soles - and having a trademark that blocks red high heels seems a bit overreaching to me.
[+] [-] hm2k|14 years ago|reply
The T-MOBILE acoustic logo, and the color magenta are registered and/or unregistered trademarks of Deutsche Telekom AG in the US and/or other countries
[+] [-] _Mark|14 years ago|reply
The footer contains the text "ANZ's colour blue is a trade mark of ANZ."
The actual web site contains multiple blues, so I am wondering which exact one they have trademarked?
[+] [-] stretchwithme|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] nickmain|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] zalthor|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] atacrawl|14 years ago|reply
You can find that disclaimer on any site containing mentions of pink nitrile gloves for use in hospitals.
[+] [-] tobylane|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] colanderman|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] iwwr|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] hackermom|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] nickmain|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] maeon3|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] colanderman|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] hackermom|14 years ago|reply