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I have previously touched on the topic of generic trademarks on this site, discussing examples such as the dumpster, granolas, frisbee, adrenaline, Kodak, and Xerox. However, I have not delved into a detailed explanation. Essentially, some brand names become synonymous with the product itself, especially when the brand dominates the market and excels in branding. Yet, there is a risk of branding being too successful, as trademarks in the US and UK can expire if a judge deems them to be generic. This has occurred with words like aspirin and escalator, leading many companies to engage in ongoing legal battles to protect their trademarks from becoming generic. LEGO has worked diligently to ensure their name is exclusively associated with their product, while Adobe may struggle to maintain the trademark for Photoshop. Google has been actively pursuing legal action to prevent its name from becoming a generic verb for “searching” in dictionaries. It is a fascinating concept to follow!