3 ms·
> end up like vacuum cleaners The term of art is Generic Trademark https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_trademark https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_t
by dmoy 4y ago
> end up like vacuum cleaners
The term of art is Generic Trademark
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_trademark https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_trademark
In US common law (and I'd imagine UK too), it's usually something companies want to avoid if at all possible.
Relevant case for Google itself: https://www.intepat.com/blog/is-google-a-generic-trademark/ https://www.intepat.com/blog/is-google-a-generic-trademark/
- akiselev 4y agoSee also the “Don’t Say Velcro” [1] campaign from the eponymous hook and loop fastener company. [1] https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rRi8LptvFZY https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rRi8LptvFZY
- Mistletoe 4y agoThis reminds me of Lego's constant campaign about "don't call them Legos" that was similar and it always made me think the Lego company is very pretentious and I avoid them. I don't think that was their desired effect. https://www.adrants.com/2005/09/lego-gets-pissy-about-brand-name.php https://www.adrants.com/2005/09/lego-gets-pissy-about-brand-...
- ealexhudson 4y agoWell, except that there's no evidence that OpenAI are using the name in a trademark sense, let alone registered it? Can't really genericise that which was never made specific...
- dmoy 4y ago> Well, except that there's no evidence that OpenAI are using the name in a trademark sense, let alone registered it? https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=97733261&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=97733261&caseType=SERIAL_...