Re: manufacturer color names and copyright

On Thu, 28 Oct 1999, Bob Schmidt <bobsch[_at_]olypen.com> wrote:
>
> 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 -

Interesting coincidence -- I'm in the process of trying to decide which of several needlework software programs to buy! Albeit that, I think the best folks to answer questions like yours would be those in the business of publishing pattern books. I did find American School of Needlework on the web at http://www.asnpub.com/asnpub/asn.html. They may be able to point you in the right direction as to whom would have the answers. And there's always DMC themselves, with a great page (read their history -- impressive!). They're at <http://www.dmc-usa.com/>.

Good luck!

Barb

Barbara Ruhmann
Text Buyer
UCD Bookstore
University of California
2828 Cowell Blvd.
Davis, CA 95616
Phone 530-752-5538
Fax 530-752-4791
e-mail brruhmann[_at_]ucdavis.edu
http://www-bookstore.ucdavis.edu/ Received on Fri Oct 29 1999 - 23:21:21 GMT