A Guide Through the
Legal Jungle Trivia Question
terms do not qualify for trademark protection. Sometimes distinctive terms become generic and lose their trademark
status (“genericide”). Which of the following were once distinctive, and have
experienced genericide? Choose all that
apply.
- Cellophane
- Escalator
- Band-Aid
- Kleenex
- Chapstick
- Aspirin
The
correct answers are A, B, and F. Cellophane, Escalator, and Aspirin were once
trademarked names and have become generic terms, losing their trademark status.
Band-Aid, Kleenex, and Chapstick all are still valued as trademarks. Google is another trademark that may
eventually succumb to genericide.
(This trivia
question was contributed by Colleen Mulcrone, 2009 JD Candidate, American University, Washington
College of Law)
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