This would make some good reading for some... http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/meponym.html jimt On 10/15/05 8:03 PM, "Robert Fisher" <refisher@MCHSI.COM> wrote: > As I understand it, the owners of the trademarks 'xerox' and 'band-aid' > (among others) lost certain rights associated with the trademarks in part > because they didn't aggressively defend those rights against casual use in > publications, etc. That is to say, it became common to say you would 'xerox' > something as opposed to copying it, and you would put a 'band-aid' on a cut > instead of using an adhesive bandage. They didn't move aggressively to stop > that 'erosion' of uniqueness so they lost the right to claim it anymore. I'm > sure that's an oversimplification, but I believe that's the gist of it. |
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