Is Genericide Still a Thing?

15 Jun , 2021

To register for the upcoming live webinar, please Click Here

Alphabet (Google) has beaten back challenges claiming that “google” is a generic term for searching in an internet search engine. More recently, Lego took the comedian and talk show host Seth Meyers to task for referring to “Legos” on-air, which led to a flurry of social media commentary expressing strong opinions. Has brand awareness gone far enough that trademark owners no longer need to be concerned that their brands will suffer the fate of ESCALATOR, LAUNDROMAT, and TRAMPOLINE? This audio CLE will consider whether using a trademark as an adjective and conducting awareness campaigns like “Not Even Xerox Can Xerox” and Velcro’s classic 2017 “Don’t Say Velcro” video are still necessary to keep trademarks from becoming generic. We will also take a look at the Booking.com case and consider whether this has lowered the bar for ordinary terms as trademarks.

To register for the upcoming live webinar, please Click Here

More Webcasts

Culture Repair™: W...

When the investigation concludes, the discipline is issued, and the file is closed, most organizatio...

Mastering the Inner ...

Every trial lawyer has experienced it: the inner critic before opening statements, the surge of ange...

Open Source AI: The ...

Open-source AI models have gone from niche developer tools to enterprise essentials almost overnight...

“It’s the Time o...

In 1968, English rock band The Zombies released their psychedelic counterculture anthem, “Time...

AI Agents Unleashed:...

AI agents — autonomous systems capable of planning, deciding, and acting independently across ...

Trial Starts Now: Wi...

Trial Starts Now: Winning the Final Six Months provides a comprehensive guide to the critical tasks ...

Evidence in Action: ...

Objections are among the most powerful — and most misunderstood — tools in a trial lawye...

Advanced Negotiation...

Advanced Negotiation Strategies for Lawyers explores the psychology and strategy behind successful l...

Estate Planning Mode...

Estate planning for LGBTQ+ clients and families formed through assisted reproductive technology requ...

Trade Secret Litigat...

This course on trade secrets litigation provides real-world best practices through all key stages of...