Deere wins trademark lawsuit over its iconic green and yellow color combination

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

In a news release Tuesday, Deere said the court decision permanently bans South Dakota-based FIMCO, Inc., from using the John Deere colors on its agricultural sprayer equipment. FIMCO, headquartered in North Sioux City, manufactures and markets sprayers under the brand name Ag Spray Equipment.

The Moline-based Deere said the lawsuit is part of its vigorous effort to protect the company’s trademarks and intellectual property.

"This is part of our ongoing effort to ensure the public can recognize our equipment and know that it came from Deere and not confuse it with somebody else," Deere spokesman Ken Golden said Tuesday in an interview.

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