<P> A trademark is said to become genericized when it begins as a distinctive product identifier but changes in meaning to become generic . This typically happens when the products or services with which the trademark is associated have acquired substantial market dominance or mind share , such that the primary meaning of the genericized trademark becomes the product or service itself rather than an indication of source for the product or service . A trademark thus popularized has its legal protection at risk in some countries such as the United States and United Kingdom , as its intellectual property rights in the trademark may be lost and competitors enabled to use the genericized trademark to describe their similar products , unless the owner of an affected trademark works sufficiently to correct and prevent such broad use . </P>
when does a trademark become public domain or genericized
when the products or services with which the trademark is associated have acquired substantial market dominance or mind share , such that the primary meaning of the genericized trademark becomes the product or service itself rather than an indication of source for the product or service