Businesses and Individuals work hard to make their brands stand
out. A strong, recognizable trademark helps a brand establish its
identity and build customer trust. However, there's a hidden
risk that comes with widespread success:
genericide. This happens when a trademark becomes
so commonly used that it stops being associated with a specific
brand and instead turns into a general term for an entire category
of products or services.
When a trademark becomes generic, it loses its legal protection.
This transition doesn't happen overnight—it's a
gradual process driven by consumer behaviour. A well-known example
is "Google." Originally a trademark for Google
LLC's search engine, it has become a verb in everyday
language—people often say, "Google it" when
referring to any online search, even if they're using a
different search engine.
