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Economy

Deere Wins Trademark Case

Ag Spray Equipment

Deere and Company has won a trademark dispute with a South Dakota company that makes agricultural sprayers. A federal judge in Kentucky has ruled FIMCO Incorporated, and its brand of Ag Spray Equipment, cannot use John Deere green and yellow on its products.

In its lawsuit, Deere said the other company's use of these colors infringed on Deere's trademark, would confuse consumers, and "dilute the value of the John Deere brand."

The judge ruled the color combination has qualified as a "famous" trademark since as early as the late 1960's, and that FIMCO intentionally chose green and yellow to make a connection with Deere. 

The judge also gave FIMCO two months to come up with a plan on how it will comply with the decision. 

A native of Detroit, Herb Trix began his radio career as a country-western disc jockey in Roswell, New Mexico (“KRSY, your superkicker in the Pecos Valley”), in 1978. After a stint at an oldies station in Topeka, Kansas (imagine getting paid to play “Louie Louie” and “Great Balls of Fire”), he wormed his way into news, first in Topeka, and then in Freeport Illinois.