*BSD News Article 4756


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From: scs@iti.org (Steve Simmons)
Subject: Re: Are you sure UNIX is a trade mark?
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References: <1992Sep2.220141.17026@nntp.hut.fi> 	<1992Sep4.234429.18294@newsgate.sps.mot.com> <Bu5DBu.IA6@rahul.net> 	<1992Sep8.135040.5243@pegasus.com> 	<BRUNER.92Sep8172455@sp15.csrd.uiuc.edu> <18jg8uINN888@maverick.ksu.ksu.edu>
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Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 12:52:05 GMT
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brtmac@maverick.ksu.ksu.edu (Brett McCoy) writes:

>You can to do exactly that.  Once a name become used to refer to a
>generic product, and not a specific brand, the trademark is lost.
>Kleenex, if it hasn't already happened, will cease to become a
>trademark when the current term (for lack of a better word) runs
>out.  The same is likely to happen to Xerox, and has happened for
>many other "brands".

*chuckle*

I doubt Xerox will lose the trademark.  After seeing that happen to 
other trademakrs, they began protecting the trademark vigorously but
politely.  IMHO, people ask less and less for "xerox machines" and
more and more for "copiers".

This summer I was working at a Kodak plant and wanted to copy some
forms.  I made the mistake of asking for a "xerox" machine.  From the
looks they gave me you'd think I asked for the Child Molestation room.
-- 
Steve: #1 of human beings on the Zwicky list