A long-running battle over ownership of the colour purple is set to be resolved early next year when British chocolate and soft-drinks giant Cadbury Schweppes goes head to head with rival Nestlé and confectioner Darrell Lea in the courts and in a crucial trademark hearing.

Cadbury is back in the Federal Court next March in its bid to stop Darrell Lea from using the colour purple on the wrapping of its sweets. Cadbury accuses Darrell Lea of misleading customers by using the colour on its signs and in shops and passing them off as Cadbury products.

At the same time, Cadbury's bid to register eight shades of purple - a colour the company claims has been synonymous with the brand for more than 90 years - is entering its closing stages after almost seven years.