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by Thriftymaid on October 16th, 2009
What is genericide and how does it relate to trademark law?
Local board has an Illinois Trademark on team name and wants TM used in my book title. Can they legally require the publisher to do so?
by Thermopolis on June 1st, 2011
| 1 person likes this
I want to screen print vintage style childrens/ pet t shirts with certain band names. Do I need permission to print and sell?
by scentsymom69 on November 17th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Could I get sued for using Starbucks name in a song and putting it on youtube?
by Jackeroo on November 21st, 2009
| 5 people like this
Do you have to get special permission to make and sell items of existing characters(like from a movie or game)?
by JackTechno on November 15th, 2009
| 1 person likes this
Can I use the word "Steelers" on a T-shirt. Not the logo. "Steelers" in plain block letters. This would be for resale.
by Eric_J1369 on November 3rd, 2010
| 1 person likes this
You're reading Are you in favor of genericide?
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Comments
It means taking trademarked names and turning them into generic words. See Escalator, Thermos, Xerox, and Kleenex.
by OZe on October 16th, 2009
I had never heard the term before. Well, it's not really something to be in favor of or not -- society picks up these brand names as generics. The owners of the brands can protect themselves but they have to stay on top of it. Example is lawsuit against a restaurant chain who served Coke when customers ordered Pepsi (or vice versa - can't remember now).
by Thriftymaid on October 16th, 2009
It's not exactly like the Coke / Pepsi thing. If average people start saying "I am going to google something" when they mean they are going to run a search on Yahoo, Google has no legal right to stop them. I know this. Trust me, unless you want to hear the long explanation. If enough people starting using "google" generically for search, Google will lose its right to the mark. Some people purposefully engage in genericide just to mess with trademark owners.
by OZe on October 16th, 2009
That's true. I'll trust you as it's been too long since law school and this is an area in which I am not up to speed.
by Thriftymaid on October 16th, 2009