Cadbury trademarked purple (Pantone 2685C) for chocolate. T-Mobile owns magenta (Pantone Rhodamine Red U). Colour alone = trademarkable if distinctive. Proof required: Extensive use, consumer association, market surveys.
Distinctiveness Burden
Generic colour in industry = untrademarkable. Cadbury purple distinctive (no other chocolate brand uses). Heinz red = difficult (many ketchup brands use red). Industry context matters.
Precise Specification
Can't trademark "blue." Must specify Pantone 286C (specific blue shade). EUIPO requires exact colour code. Vague = rejection. Pantone system standard for applications.
The Scope Problem
Trademark purple for chocolate. Doesn't stop purple phones, purple cars. Protection limited to specified product classes. Colour + category = trademark, colour alone insufficient.
Proof Requirements
Need evidence: 5+ years consistent use. Consumer surveys showing 70%+ associate colour with your brand. Advertising spend proving colour prominence. Marketing materials demonstrating exclusive use.
Enforcement Difficulty
Competitor uses slightly different shade (Pantone 2686C vs your 2685C). Court says "no confusion." Colour trademarks = narrow protection, easy to design around via shade variation.
Combination Marks
Easier strategy: Trademark colour + shape. Orange + curved swoosh (EasyJet). Green + mermaid (Starbucks). Combination = stronger protection than colour alone.
Industry Examples
Successful colour marks: UPS brown (delivery), Tiffany blue (jewellery), Barbie pink (toys). All required 10+ years proving exclusivity. No shortcuts to colour trademark.
Trademark Lens checks word/logo marks but not colour trademarks - specialist attorney required for colour protection strategy.