A U.S. District Court in Kentucky has ruled in favor of Deere & Co. in a lawsuit that was filed to protect use of the trademark green and yellow color combination on John Deere agricultural equipment.

Following a one-week bench trial that took place in June, the U.S. District Court in Paducah, Ky., has now found in favor of Deere. The court decision permanently bans the use of the John Deere colors by FIMCO Inc., a South Dakota company that manufactures and markets agricultural sprayers under the “Ag Spray Equipment” brand name.

Deere said the lawsuit is part of an ongoing and vigorous effort to protect the company’s trademarks and intellectual property.

The lawsuit asserted that FIMCO’s green and yellow equipment infringed on Deere’s trademark for the color combination. Deere also claimed that use of the colors by another manufacturer confuses the public as to where the product originated and dilutes the value of the John Deere brand. In a 107-page decision, the District Court found for John Deere on all its claims.

Read the full John Deere news release online.

Source: John Deere News Release