There are product names that you use every day. But did you know that a lot of product names used to be registered trademarks? It may sound like a compliment when the public uses your trademark as a generic name, but beware: when your trademark becomes the product’s generic name, you will lose all exclusive right to your mark. Hereunder a list of names that used to be legally protected trademarks:
- Dry ice – originally a registered trademark of Dry Ice Corporation of America
- Thermos – originally a registered trademark of Thermos GmbH
- Trampoline – originally a registered trademark of George Nissen
- Windbreaker – originally a registered trademark of John Rissman & Sons
- Zipper – originally a registered trademark of B.F. Goodrich
- Moonboots – originally a registered trademark of Technica
- Jetski – originally a registered trademark of Kawasaki
- Escalator – originally a registered trademark of Otis Elevator Company
- Butterscotch – originally a registered trademark of Parkinson’s
- Heroin – originally a registered trademark of Bayer AG
- Plexiglas – originally a registered trademark of Altuglas International
- Petrol – originally a registered trademark of Carless, Capel and Leonard
- Videotape – originally a registered trademark of Ampex Corporation
- Hula Hoop – originally a registered trademark of Wham-O
- Lava lamp – originally a registered trademark of Mathmos
- Ping Pong – originally a registered trademark of Parker Brothers