Heinz has managed to do what only a handful of other brands have achieved. The company has trademarked a colour. In its case, the colour in question is the instantly recognisable blue-green shade on its baked beans cans.

It doesn't mean you suddenly are banned from painting the living room that strange blue colour if you so wish; it is just that other food marketing departments are now prohibited by law from using it in any form of branding.

The colour has been used on the can since 1885 and Heinz was able to argue that the baked beans' popularity - Britons alone consume 1.5 million cans every day - and its longevity mean the colour is instantly associated with the product.

Registered trade marks usually only apply to words or logos.

However, two other well-known colours to achieve the same status are Harrods green and Cadbury's purple.