Can anyone "own" a colour?

Well, we shall see. We just had the RFU unveil the new secondary kit for the England Rugby team. Now, usually, England play in all white. White shirt, and shorts. They did play with adding a bit of red for a while, but have since scaled back on that.

But does England "own" white? Well, no. However, New Zealand does stake a claim to black. After all, they are known as the "All blacks." Mainly because England played in all white, and they went and used a colour that was totally opposite. 

However, controversy has arisen. England has decided to unveil a new secondary kit that is very, very different to the regular white kit. Its all black! 

Given that New Zealand is pretty much known as a colour, black is synonymous with New Zealand in world Rugby. 

However, there is no rule saying that you cannot "own" or copyright a colour in world Rugby. After all, Wales play in red. As do Tonga. Both France and Scotland play in blue. Fiji plays in white (OK, with black shorts!) the same as England. Many nations share colours. Not only that, but New Zealand do not have a monopoly on black. Both Germany and Belgium have played in predominantly black shirts.

England wanted to use a kit that looked mean, and was totally opposite to the regular all white. This meant bringing in an all black kit. And it does look sharp!

As a courtesy (there was no legal requirement to do this) the RFU did contact the NZRFU and say "we are thinking about using an all black kit as a secondary kit, are you OK with that?" And the NZRFU came back and said "no problem." They had no issue with it since this was Englands secondary kit. The only time it is going to get used is if England are the second team, and there is a kit clash. 

At the upcoming World Cup, Englands first game is as the second team, and going up against Argentina. They play in sky blue and white hoops, and white shorts. OK, it is not the same, but it is very similar to Englands all white kit. So, it makes sense to use a secondary kit to stand out. 

Also, New Zealand understood that there was no way on earth that they would have to give up the all black kit against England. Both teams primary kit are polar opposites.

However, Jonah Lomu has come out and said that it is all wrong that England are doing this. That all black is New Zealands colours only. I am sorry Jonah, but New Zealand does not "own" the colour black. England are not ditching the traditional all white as the primary kit.

And New Zealand does have its own alternative.

Which is white!