By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
Green and yellow are now officially the trademarked colors of Deere and Company.
A U.S. District Court recently ruled the company has used the color combination for so long it now qualifies as a famous trademark—barring other agricultural companies from using them together in the United States.
The ruling came after a one-week bench trial in a U.S. District Court in Paducah, Kentucky against a South Dakota company that uses green and yellow on its agricultural sprayers.
Deere argued FIMCO, Inc.’s use of the colors on its equipment confuses consumers who associate green and yellow with John Deere products. They said the use also dilutes the John Deere brand, which has been using the green and yellow color combination since the late 1960s.
FIMCO has 60 days to file a plan with the court on how it will comply with the ban restricting its use of green and yellow.
The company, and all affiliated with it, are prohibited from using the color combination in the manufacture, distribution, marketing, advertising or sale of trailed and wheeled agricultural equipment in the United States.
According to Deere, the lawsuit is part of an ongoing and vigorous effort to protect the company’s trademarks and intellectual property.