Definition[]
Genericide occurs when a once valid mark is so commonly used in everyday language that it no longer serves to identify a particular company but rather becomes synonymous with the entire class of products.[1]
Overview[]
Examples of marks that have been casualties of genericide include THERMOS, ASPIRIN, KLEENEX, BAND-AID, and CELLOPHANE.
References[]
- ↑ Roger E. Schechter & John R. Thomas, Intellectual Property: The Law of Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks §27.3 (2003).