HIT: Word for Kleenex/kleenex

[KATHY LEEDS <GFDS74C@PRODIGY.COM>]

The verdict is in - I had asked if there was a term for brand names
(Kleenex, Xerox) that have become generic.  Although my dictionary
defines an eponym as the derivation of a name of a country, era,
institution, or other place or thing from that of a _person_, I guess
it can be derived from a company name as well.  Your answers follow:

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I wish that I knew the answer but I don't. Why not send question to
list.stumpers-1

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        I think?! that the word falls into public domain.  Other than that
I can't think of a specific name.  Interestingly, writer's magazines
are
besieged with ads from these companies beseeching writers not to use

their name brand generically.

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I would love to know the answer; please share with me or post a hit.
TIA.

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The term is eponym and there is a great book about them by Marvin
Terban.  It is called *Guppies in Tuxedos: Funny Eponyms* and gives
many
examples.

(Later message) Yes, the book I mentioned does deal only with things
where people's
names have become synonymous with the product.  I don't know if the
term
eponym only deals with people's names or if it applies to products
such as
your Kleenex example.  Good Luck!
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The trademark becomes a "generic term."  I do not believe that there
is
any other term for this.  However, I am forwarding your message to a

media law professor.

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i don't know the term you're looking for, but it cannot be applied to

Xerox.  you can be sued if you use that in print or film to mean
"photocopying."  it is trademarked, and they do sue.  just an aside.


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This is in response to your inquiry concerning trademarks. The only
other
term used for "generic" is "descriptive words." Sometimes "public
domain"
is used to describe what happens when a mark becomes generic. From a

legal standpoint, it is not appropriate to describe "Xerox" and
"Kleenex"
as "synonymous" with the generic terms. It is true that these names
are
often misused (Example: "I xeroxed the paper."). However, both are
still
trademarks. In fact, Xerox has mounted an aggressive ad campaign to
educate the public on the proper usage of its name. This is a way of

attempting to insure that Xerox doesn't become a generic name like
"aspirin." I hope these comments are helpful.

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I believe it's an eponym.

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There IS a term... but I have forgotten it.  Just wanted to let you
know
that there is a term for those brand names cum generic.  Band-Aid is

another one.

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The term you want for something named after a famous person, ie.
Kleenex,
is eponym.

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Are you referring to a trade name?  The Lanham Act of 1946 defined
the terms
"trade mark" and "trade name."  (Source:  Legal Regulation of the
Competitive
Process by Edmund Kitch and Harvey Perlman, Foundation Press, 1991)

A trade name identifies a person's business, vocation, and sometimes
a
product.   In the case of kleenex, the trade name takes on a
"secondary
meaning" when the product's generic name (kleenex) is identifed as
the
product itself (facial tissue) or xerox copies for duplicate copies.

These are copyright, trademark and patent issues.  The answer to
your
question in this context is a "trade name that has taken on a
secondary
meaning."

I am a copyright specialist and recently took a law class were these
issues
were discussed.

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Yes, there is a term!  And it was in this month's issue of one of the

library magazines I get.  I'll look it up monday! There was even a
list
of examples!

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Eponym is the term that is used in the worksheet that's in _School
Librarian's Workshop_ March '96 issue.

Some examples they use are:
Jean Nicot              Nicotine
Louis Pasteur           Pasteurize
Joel Poinsett           Poinsettia
John Phillip            Sousaphone
Franz Anton Mesmer      Mesmerize
and many more.

If you would like the worksheet, e-mail me your snail-mail address,
or
send me your fax number.

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Thanks so much, LM_NETters!

Kathy Leeds
gfds74c@prodigy.com