manufacturer color names and copyright

I've seen several needlework software programs that allow the user to select thread or floss colors from color tables listing a manufacturer's color name or number and the color. Such as DMC 4321 Ravishing Red or JP Coats 1444 Benign Blue (not the real color names).

I am developing a software program in which I would like to use manufacturers' color names (some names seem pretty generic) and their numbers in same fashion as some of the existing commercial programs -- user can select what brand of floss to use and gets that manufacturer's color tables displayed for particular image/pattern being worked on.

What, if any, copyright issues would I be facing in respect to using the manufacturers color tables and their color names? Can names of colors be copyrighted? Would I need to obtain permission to use a manufacturer's name and their color identification codes for their various threads and flosses?

Any feedback appreciated. Thanks and best regards, Bob

Bob Schmidt
Port Angeles, Washington
<bobsch[_at_]olypen.com> Received on Fri Oct 29 1999 - 04:29:20 GMT