Experts say that the iPad name is so singularly associated with tablet computing devices that it is dangerously close to becoming generic. Although this means the brand is well known, the device name could lose its protected trademark status. “Marketing people want the brand name as widespread as possible and trademark lawyers worry,” Michael Atkins, a Seattle trademark attorney told Fox News, “the brand will lose all trademark significance.” A brand can typically be deemed legally generic once a company sues another for using its name after the case reaches federal court. Less than 5 percent of US brand names eventually become generic, but among those that have are aspirin, heroin, and zipper, which became generic in the 1920s. They were later joined by inventions including the escalator, thermos, and yo-yo. (SlashGear)(Associated Press @ Houston Chronicle)(Fox News)
