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Can a corporation “own” a colour?

including wills and probate
Clitheroekid
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Can a corporation “own” a colour?

#277453

Postby Clitheroekid » January 14th, 2020, 6:40 pm

I'm afraid it's a technical breach of the `practical' nature of this section, as I can't think many Fools are going to be troubled about such matters in their daily life, but I thought this article may be of general interest:

https://thehustle.co/can-a-corporation- ... ource=digg

Although it's obviously referring to US law the law here will also, in the right circumstances, protect the `owner' of a specific colour. However, Cadbury tried to trademark their purple colour a few years ago, and failed spectacularly (and no doubt expensively) so I suspect that case rather reduced the appetite for further UK cases.

MikeyWorld
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Re: Can a corporation “own” a colour?

#279702

Postby MikeyWorld » January 24th, 2020, 2:16 pm

Totally bonkers.

The US copyright system is based on differing fundamental principles compared to the EU.

Future Learn does an interesting (and free) course:
Exploring Copyright: History, Culture, Industry.

ReformedCharacter
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Re: Can a corporation “own” a colour?

#279749

Postby ReformedCharacter » January 24th, 2020, 4:24 pm

Apple have a patent on:

rectangular devices with rounded corners

https://www.theverge.com/2012/11/7/3614 ... ed-corners

RC

stevensfo
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Re: Can a corporation “own” a colour?

#279955

Postby stevensfo » January 25th, 2020, 7:07 pm

ReformedCharacter wrote:Apple have a patent on:

rectangular devices with rounded corners

https://www.theverge.com/2012/11/7/3614 ... ed-corners

RC


For Heaven's sake, where's Monty Python when you need them?

Douglas Adams would love it. 'As everyone knows, 2025 AD was the year when every apple tree on the planet was incinerated for breaching copyright laws and a multi-national police force created to search for rectangular objects with round corners.'


Steve

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Re: Can a corporation “own” a colour?

#279971

Postby Lanark » January 25th, 2020, 9:09 pm

ReformedCharacter wrote:Apple have a patent on:

rectangular devices with rounded corners

https://www.theverge.com/2012/11/7/3614 ... ed-corners

RC

That patent is not a broad as the article is making out. When Apple make something with rounded curves, they dont just pick a radius and then draw a part circle, the entire edge has a gentle curve - so the straight part is not completely straight - before it joins up to the obviously curved part.

The effect is just to make it look slightly prettier, the patent expires in 2024.

Perhaps I should sell my AAPL shares in 2023??


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