Pantone#Pantone Color Matching System

Pantone began in New Jersey in the 1950s as the commercial printing company of brothers Mervin and Jesse Levine, M & J Levine Advertising.{{Cite web|title=How Pantone Became The Definitive Language Of Color|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3050240/how-pantone-became-the-definitive-language-of-color|last=Budds|first=Diana|date=September 18, 2015|website=Fast Company|language=en-US|access-date=May 12, 2020}}{{Cite web|title=History of Pantone Inc. – FundingUniverse|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/pantone-inc-history/|website=www.fundinguniverse.com|access-date=May 12, 2020}} In 1956, its founders, both advertising executives, hired recent Hofstra University graduate Lawrence Herbert as a part-time employee. Herbert used his chemistry knowledge to systematize and simplify the company's stock of pigments and production of colored inks; by 1962, Herbert was running the ink and printing division at a profit, while the commercial-display division was US$50,000 in debt; he subsequently purchased the company's technological assets from the Levine Brothers for US$50,000 ({{Inflation|USD|50,000|1962|r=-4|fmt=eq}}) and renamed them "Pantone".{{Citation | publisher = Funding universe | contribution-url = http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Pantone-Inc-Company-History.html | title = Company histories | contribution = Pantone Inc. History}}.

The company's primary products include the Pantone Guides, which consist of a large number of small (approximately 6×2 inches or 15×5 cm) thin cardboard or plastic sheets, printed on one side with a series of related color swatches and then bound into a small "fan deck". For instance, a particular "page" might contain several yellows of varying tints. {{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Pantone Color Bridge Guide Set {{!}} Coated & Uncoated |url=https://www.pantone.com/media/catalog/product/g/p/gp6102b-pantone-graphics-color-bridge-coated-uncoated-guides-product-2.jpg?quality=95&fit=bounds&height=1200&width=1200&canvas=1200:1200 |website=Pantone}}

The idea behind the PMS is to allow designers to "color match" specific colors when a design enters production stage, regardless of the equipment used to produce the color. This system has been widely adopted by graphic designers and reproduction and printing houses. Pantone recommends that PMS Color Guides be purchased annually, as their inks become yellowish over time.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Stempkowski |first=Joy |title=When should you replace your Pantone guides? |url=https://www.pantone.com/articles/technical/graphics-system-edition-how-many-pantone-colors-are-you-missing/ |website=Pantone}} Color variance also occurs within editions based on the paper stock used (coated, matte or uncoated), while interedition color variance occurs when there are changes to the specific paper stock used.{{cite web | url= http://pantone.com/aboutus/aboutus.asp?idArticle=588&idPressRelease=190 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20130131020005/http://pantone.com/aboutus/aboutus.asp?idArticle=588&idPressRelease=190 | url-status= dead | archive-date= January 31, 2013 |access-date = February 23, 2007 | title=Pantone Press Release, 6 May 2004 | quote = Colors in the new formula guide and chips books have changed due to a shift to coated paper that is brighter and whiter}}.

In 2022, a dispute between Pantone and Adobe resulted in the removal of Pantone color coordinates from Photoshop and Adobe's other design software, causing colors in graphic artists' digital documents to be replaced with black unless artists paid Pantone a separate $15 monthly subscription fee. Artists accused Pantone and Adobe of holding their work hostage.{{cite web |last1=Weatherbed |first1=Jess |date=1 November 2022 |title=You now have to pay to use Pantone colors in Adobe products |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/1/23434305/adobe-pantone-subscription-announcement-photoshop-illustrator |access-date=2 February 2023 |website=The Verge}}

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The Pantone Color Matching System is largely a standardized color reproduction system; as of 2019 it has 2161 colors. By standardizing the colors, different manufacturers in different locations can all refer to the Pantone system to make sure colors match without direct contact with one another.

One such use is standardizing colors in the CMYK process. The CMYK process is a method of printing color by using four inks—cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. A majority of the world's printed material is produced using the CMYK process, and there is a special subset of Pantone colors that can be reproduced using CMYK.{{Cite web|date=August 29, 2018|title=CMYK, RGB & Pantone for Print Marketing|url=https://www.ballantine.com/the-differences-between-rgb-cmyk-and-pantone-colors/|access-date=June 18, 2020|website=Ballantine|language=en-US}} Those that are possible to simulate through the CMYK process are labeled as such within the company's guides.

However, about 30% of the Pantone system's 1114 spot colors (as of year 2000) cannot be simulated with CMYK but with 13 base pigments (14 including black) mixed in specified amounts, called base colors. Those 1114 colors included 387 colors with numbers 100 to 487 from 1975 and some lighter colors from 600 to 732 in 1991. The original four-digit colors introduced in 1987 were remapped into three digits.

The Pantone system also later allowed for many special colors to be produced, such as metallics, fluorescents (neons) and pastels. There are 56 fluorescents from 801 to 814 (first 7 here are base colors, so called Dayglo) and from 901 to 942. Packaging metallics (previously premium metallics) are placed from 10101 to 10454 (54 of those added later, 354 altogether, 2 base colors Silver 10077 and Rose Gold 10412), while normal metallics are placed from 871 to 877 (first 7 here are base colors) and from 8001 to 8965. Pastels are from 9140 to 9163 with base colors being 0131, 0331, 0521, 0631, 0821, 0921 and 0961. While most of the Pantone system colors are beyond the printed CMYK gamut, it was only in 2001 that Pantone began providing translations of their existing system with screen-based colors. Screen-based colors use the RGB color model—red, green, blue—system to create various colors. A lot of colors are outside sRGB.{{Citation | url = http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20136&ca=10 | title = Pantone announces RGB conversions for Pantone system | type = press release | quote = Providing Designers with simple and accurate methods for recreating Pantone Matching System colors in Web designs}}. The (discontinued){{Cite web|url=http://www.pantone.com/goe|title=Graphics – Pantone Goe System|publisher=Pantone|website=www.pantone.com|language=en|access-date=August 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703024351/http://www.pantone.com/goe|archive-date=July 3, 2017|url-status=dead}} Goe system has RGB, LAB, SPD values with each color and has 10 base colors while only 4 of those new: Bright Red, Pink, Medium Purple and Dark Blue. Other 6 were in the system before: Yellow 012, Orange 021, Rubine Red, Green, Process Blue and Black that in Goe were named Medium Yellow, Bright Orange, Strong Red, Bright Green, Medium Blue and Neutral Black. (PMS has 8 more basic base colors, some not monopigmented: Yellow 010, Red 032, Warm Red, Rhodamine Red, Purple, Violet, Reflex Blue, Blue 072.)

Pantone colors are described by their allocated number (typically referred to as, for example, "PMS 130"). PMS colors are almost always used in branding and have even found their way into government legislation and military standards (to describe the colors of flags and seals).{{Citation | title = Directive | publisher = USCG | url = http://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim/5000-5999/CIM_5200_14A.pdf}}. In January 2003, the Scottish Parliament debated a petition (reference PE512) to refer to the blue in the Scottish flag as "Pantone 300". Countries such as Canada and South Korea and organizations such as the FIA have also chosen to refer to specific Pantone colors to use when producing flags. US states including Texas have set legislated PMS colors of their flags.{{Citation | chapter-url = http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/GV/content/htm/gv.011.00.003100.00.htm#3100.001.00 | place = TX, US | title = Statute | chapter = 3100. State Flag | quote = (b) The red and blue of the state flag are (1) the same colors used in the United States flag; and (2) defined as numbers 193 (red) and 281 (dark blue) of the Pantone Matching System | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071013074003/http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/GV/content/htm/gv.011.00.003100.00.htm#3100.001.00 | archive-date = October 13, 2007 }}.

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On September 5, 2007, Pantone introduced the Goe System.{{Citation|title=Pantone Unveils Goe System|url=http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20494&ca=10|type=press release|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218005311/http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20494&ca=10|quote=Over 2,000 new Pantone colors to inspire, explore and express the color of ideas|access-date=September 5, 2007|archive-date=February 18, 2017}}. Goe consisted of 2058 new colors in a new matching and numbering system. In addition to the standard swatch books (now called the GoeGuide), the new system also included adhesive-backed GoeSticks, interactive software, tools, and an online community where users were able to share color swatches and information.

The Goe system was streamlined to use fewer base colors (ten, plus clear coating for reflections, only 4 base colors were new) and accommodate many technical challenges in reproducing colors on a press.{{Citation|title=Pantone 2.0: After 45 Years, the Sequel to PMS|date=September 5, 2007|url=https://creativepro.com/pantone-2-0-after-45-years-the-sequel-to-pms-/|publisher=Creative Pro}}.

The Pantone Goe system was discontinued in November 2013, but 4 new base colors were added into PMS and some of new colors too, though those 4 base colors are harder to purchase.

File:Logo SG50.svg to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the nation's independence. The usage instructions for the logo described it as being in Pantone Red 032 and White.{{citation|title=Celebrating the Little Red Dot|url=https://www.singapore50.sg/SG50/About|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318200600/https://www.singapore50.sg/SG50/About|archive-date=March 18, 2015|publisher=SG50 Programme Office|year=2015}}.]]

In mid-2006 Pantone, partnering with Vermont-based Fine Paints of Europe, introduced a new line of interior and exterior paints. The color palette uses Pantone's color research and trending and has more than 3,000 colors.

In November 2015, Pantone partnered with Redland London to create a collection of bags inspired from Pantone's authority on color.

Pantone also produced Hexachrome, a patented six-color printing system.{{Citation | url = http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,734,800.PN.&OS=PN/5,734,800&RS=PN/5,734,800 | publisher = PTO | place = US | title = Patent | id = 5734800 | access-date = April 12, 2006 | archive-date = February 15, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170215031513/http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,734,800.PN.&OS=PN/5,734,800&RS=PN/5,734,800 | url-status = dead }}.{{Citation | title = About us | type = press release | url = http://www.pantone.com/aboutus/aboutus.asp?idArticle=64&idPressRelease=38 | publisher = Pantone | access-date = August 24, 2005 | archive-date = October 13, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071013074616/http://pantone.com/aboutus/aboutus.asp?idArticle=64&idPressRelease=38 | url-status = dead }}. In addition to custom CMYK inks, Hexachrome added orange and green inks to expand the color gamut, for better color reproduction. It was therefore also known as a CMYKOG process. Hexachrome was discontinued by Pantone in 2008 when Adobe Systems stopped supporting their HexWare plugin software. In 2015 7-color printing system was developed, adding Violet in CMYKOGV, that can cover 90% of 1114 spot colors, while CMYK only about 60%. 1729 new colors were added, marked XGC (extended gamut coated), some colors do not have a number, like Process Blue XGC or Purple XGC.{{Cite web|last=Pantone|title=What Is Extended Gamut?|url=https://www.pantone.com/articles/product-spotlight/what-is-extended-gamut|access-date=September 20, 2021|website=www.pantone.com|language=en}} Base colors of OGV were new mono-pigment inks, pigments PO34, PG7 and PV23 were used respectively with 58°, 180° and 311° hue angles.

Pantone Color Manager allows for users of the Adobe Creative Suite and Creative Cloud as well as other software to import the most up to date information inclusive of L*a*b* numbers as well as CMYK and sRGB representations of all the various palettes (including chromatic adaptation under default D50 or D65 with 2 degree or 10 degree observer or even any ICC profile).{{Cite web|last=Pantone|title=Pantone Software Download Page|url=https://www.pantone.com/customer-service/software-download|access-date=September 20, 2021|website=Pantone|language=en}} L*a*b* numbers allow for the most accurate representation of color in a device-independent manner, but ideally X-rite InkFormulation is needed to emulate substrates and all 14 base colors of main Pantone system or 7 colors of CMYKOGV. Support is being phased out in favour of Pantone Connect plugin from Adobe Exchange of Creative Cloud.{{Cite web|last=Pantone|title=Pantone Color Manager Software|url=https://www.pantone.com/pantone-color-manager-software|access-date=September 20, 2021|website=Pantone|language=en}} Adobe Illustrator removed five acb files (Adobe Color Books) of Pantone+ colors in 2023 when Pantone+ was deprecated by Pantone.

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Since 2000,{{cite web |title=Trend forecasting – Celebrate color: Color by decade infographic from Pantone.com |publisher=Pantone |url=https://www.pantone.com/ |access-date=August 17, 2017}} the Pantone Color Institute has declared a particular color "Color of the Year". Twice a year the company hosts, in a European capital, a secret meeting of representatives from various nations' color standards groups. After two days of presentations and debate, they choose a color for the following year; for example, the color for summer 2013 was chosen in London in the spring of 2012.{{cite magazine |last = Vanderbilt |first = Tom |date = April 27, 2012 |title=Sneaking into Pantone HQ |magazine = Slate |url = http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/design/2012/04/pantone_color_forecasts_are_they_accurate_.single.html |access-date = January 13, 2019 }}

The selected color purportedly connects with the zeitgeist;{{cite news |last=Ibrahim |first=Banu |date=December 5, 2019 |title=Pantone's color of the year is a calming start to 2020 |website=CNN Underscored |lang=en |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/05/cnn-underscored/pantone-color-year-2020-classic-blue/index.html |access-date=April 8, 2020}} for example, the press release declaring Honeysuckle the color of 2011 said "In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues."{{cite press release |title= Pantone reveals color of the year for 2011: Pantone 18-2120 Honeysuckle |date= 2010-12-09 |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url = https://www.pantone.com/articles/press-releases/pantone-reveals-color-of-the-year-for-2011-pantone-18-2120-honeysuckle}} The results of the meeting are published in Pantone View, which fashion designers, florists, and many other consumer-oriented companies purchase to help guide their designs and planning for future products. In 2016 and 2021, Pantone chose two colors for Color of the Year.

{{color swatch|#9BB7D4|2000
Cerulean
Pantone 15-4020}}

{{color swatch|#C74375|2001
Fuchsia Rose
Pantone 17-2031}}

{{color swatch|#BF1932|2002
True Red
Pantone 19-1664}}

{{color swatch|#7BC4C4|2003
Aqua Sky
Pantone 14-4811}}

{{color swatch|#E2583E|2004
Tigerlily
Pantone 17-1456}}

{{color swatch|#53B0AE|2005
Blue Turquoise
Pantone 15-5217}}

{{color swatch|#DECDBE|2006
Sand Dollar
Pantone 13-1106}}

{{color swatch|#9B1B30|2007
Chili Pepper
Pantone 19-1557}}

{{color swatch|#5A5B9F|2008
Blue Iris
Pantone 18-3943}}

{{color swatch|#F0C05A|2009
Mimosa
Pantone 14-0848}}

{{color swatch|#45B5AA|2010
Turquoise
Pantone 15-5519{{cite press release |title= Color of the year 2010: Pantone 15-5519 Turquoise |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url= https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2010}}}}

{{color swatch|#D94F70|2011
Honeysuckle
Pantone 18-2120{{cite press release |title= Color of the year 2011: Pantone 18-2120 Honeysuckle |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url= https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2011}}}}

{{color swatch|#DD4124|2012
Tangerine Tango
Pantone 17-1463{{cite press release |title = Color of the year 2012: Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url = https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2012}}}}

{{color swatch|#009473|2013
Emerald
Pantone 17-5641{{cite press release |title = Color of the year 2013: Pantone 17-5641 Emerald |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url = https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2013}}}}

{{color swatch|#B163A3|2014
Radiant Orchid
Pantone 18-3224{{cite press release |title= Color of the year 2014: Pantone 18-3324 Radiant Orchid |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url= https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2014}}}}

{{color swatch|#955251|2015
Marsala
Pantone 18-1438{{cite press release |title= Color of the year 2015: Pantone 18-1438 Marsala |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url= https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2015}}}}

{{color swatch|#F7CAC9|2016
Rose Quartz
Pantone 13-1520{{cite press release |title= Color of the year 2016: Pantone 13-1520 Rose Quartz & Pantone 15-3919 Serenity | publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url=https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2016}}}}

{{color swatch|#92A8D1|2016
Serenity
Pantone 15-3919}}

{{color swatch|#88B04B|2017
Greenery
Pantone 15-0343{{cite press release |title= Color of the year 2017: Pantone 15-0343 Greenery |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url=http://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2017-color-standards}}}}

{{color swatch|#5F4B8B|2018
Ultra Violet
Pantone 18-3838{{cite press release |title= Color of the year 2018: Pantone 18-3838 Ultra Violet |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url=https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2018}}}}

{{color swatch|#FF6F61|2019
Living Coral
Pantone 16-1546{{cite press release |title= Color of the year 2019: Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url=https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2019}}}}

{{color swatch|#0F4C81|2020
Classic Blue
Pantone 19-4052{{cite press release |title= Color of the year 2020: Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url=https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2020}}}}

{{color swatch|#939597|2021
Ultimate Gray
Pantone 17-5104{{cite press release |title= Announcing the Pantone color of the year 2021: Pantone 17-5104 Ultimate Gray |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url=https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2021}}}}

{{color swatch|#F5DF4D|2021
Illuminating
Pantone 13-0647}}

{{color swatch|#6667AB|2022
Very Peri
Pantone 17-3938{{cite press release |title=Announcing the Pantone color of the year 2022: Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url=https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2022}}}}

{{color swatch|#BB2649|2023
Viva Magenta
Pantone 18-1750{{cite press release |title=Announcing the Pantone color of the year 2023: Pantone 18-1750 Viva Magenta |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url=https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2023}}}}

{{color swatch|#FFBE98|2024
Peach Fuzz
Pantone 13-1023{{cite press release |title=Announcing the Pantone color of the year 2024: Pantone 13-1023 Peach Fuzz |publisher = Pantone |place = Carlstadt, NJ |url=https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2024}}}}

{{color swatch|#A47864|2025
Mocha Mousse
Pantone 17-1230}}

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In 2012, the color of the year, Tangerine Tango, was used to create a makeup line, in partnership with Sephora.{{cite news |first=Emma |last=Hutchings |date=March 23, 2012 |title=Pantone teams up with Sephora to create a color-saturated makeup line |website=PSFK |url=http://www.psfk.com/2012/03/pantone-sephora.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913233913/http://www.psfk.com/2012/03/pantone-sephora.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |access-date=March 23, 2012 }} The product line, named Sephora + Pantone Universe collection, features Tangerine Tango–embellished false lashes, nail lacquers, cream, glitters, and high-pigment lip glosses.{{cite news |first=Ana |last=Sragovic |date=March 21, 2012 |title=Orange crush: Sephora and Pantone team up for an NYC pop-up shop |magazine=Vogue |url=http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/orange-crush-sephora-and-pantone-team-up-for-an-nyc-pop-up-shop/ |access-date=March 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323232629/http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/orange-crush-sephora-and-pantone-team-up-for-an-nyc-pop-up-shop/ |archive-date=March 23, 2012}} 2013 Emerald color was reported to be out of sRGB gamut.{{cite web |title=Color of the year for 2013 falls outside sRGB gamut |website=Nanosys |date=December 11, 2012 |type=blog |url=https://nanosys.com/blog-archive/color-of-the-year-for-2013-falls-outside-srgb-gamut |access-date=November 5, 2021 |lang=en-US}} Also new Very Peri color of 2022 is present in TCX (dyed cotton reference) and TPG (Textile Paper – "Green"{{cite web |title=Pantone numbering explained |website=pantone.com |publisher=Pantone |url=https://www.pantone.com/articles/technical/pantone-numbering-explained |access-date=2021-12-11 |lang=en}}) form, here TCX for sRGB hex values are mentioned.

The person behind Pantone's Color of the Year, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman, explained in an interview how 2014's Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid, was chosen:

{{Blockquote | I look for ascending color trends, colors that are being used in broader ways and broader context than before ... In this case, Radiant Orchid descends from the purple family, which is kind of a magical color that denotes creativity and innovation. Purple is just that kind of a complex, interesting, attracting kind of color ... [The] back-story to purple is that it inspires confidence in your creativity, and we're living in a world where that kind of creative innovation is greatly admired. In the world of color, purple is an attention-getter, and it has a meaning. It speaks to people, and we felt that it was time for the purple family to be celebrated. That's why we chose the particular shade called Radiant Orchid. | L. Eiseman{{cite web |last = Eiseman |first = L. |author-link = Leatrice Eiseman |title = Lee Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute |series = Spotlight |website = Signazon |url = http://www.signazon.com/spotlight-lee-eiseman-part-1.aspx |access-date = January 24, 2014 |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 17, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140117014050/http://www.signazon.com/spotlight-lee-eiseman-part-1.aspx }}}}

Pantone has said that color "has always been an integral part of how a culture expresses the attitudes and emotions of the times."{{cite web |last1=Eiseman |first1=Lee |author1-link=Leatrice Eiseman |last2=Recker |first2=Keith |year=2013 |title=Celebrate color: 50 years in color |type=infographic |publisher=Pantone |place=Carlstadt, NJ |url=http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone.aspx?pg=21111&ca=90 |access-date=December 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623185136/http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone.aspx?pg=21111&ca=90}}

Pantone asserts that their lists of color numbers and pigment values are the intellectual property of Pantone and free use of the list is not allowed.{{Citation | contribution-url = http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=19309&ca=10 | publisher = Pantone | title = Terms of Use | section = Clause 4 | quote = published materials of Pantone, are protected by copyright laws and include, for example, graphic presentations, color references, Pantone Colors, Pantone Names, numbers, formulas, and software |date = July 30, 2009}}. This is frequently held as a reason Pantone colors cannot be supported in open-source software and are not often found in low-cost proprietary software. Pantone has been accused of "being intentionally unclear" about its exact legal claims, but it is acknowledged that "the simplest claim would be trademark misappropriation or dilution towards someone who produced a color palette marketed as compatible with Pantone's".{{cite web |title=Pantone and free software |url=https://www.linux.com/news/pantone-and-free-software/ |website= Linux.com - News For Open Source Professionals |date=November 21, 2005 |language=en |access-date=November 6, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211129174200/https://www.linux.com/news/pantone-and-free-software/ |archive-date=November 29, 2021}}

By contrast, intellectual property scholar Aaron Perzanowski claims that Pantone has no intellectual property rights over individual colors or color libraries.{{cite magazine |last=Stokel-Walkergearnov |first=Chris |date=2022-11-02 |magazine=Wired |title=Adobe Just Held a Bunch of Colors Hostage |access-date=2022-11-06 |url=https://www.wired.com/story/adobe-pantone-color-subscription-fee/ }}

• Color chart – other color systems and charts
• CMYK color model
• Natural Color System (NCS), Munsell color system, and other proprietary color spaces where most consumers use swatches to make color decisions; unlike Pantone, these systems are based on underlying color models rather than pigment mixtures.
• RAL colour standard
• Spot color

{{reflist|25em}}

{{Commons category}}

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Category:2007 mergers and acquisitions

Category:Carlstadt, New Jersey

Category:Color organizations

Category:Companies based in Bergen County, New Jersey

Category:Graphic design

Category:Printing