Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun rare, nonstandard The act or process of letting a trademark term become so common that the trademark is indefensible.
  • noun rare, nonstandard The process by which trademark rights are diminished or lost as a result of common use in the marketplace.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From generic +‎ -cide.

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Examples

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  • When a trademarked name becomes so closely identified with a material that most consumers cannot express a desire for the material without using, or at least thinking, about that name. See former trademarks Cellophane and Linoleum. Genericide is to be avoided for those who are trying to create a brand name that can be a protectable trademark.

    February 20, 2009

  • See also antonomasia.

    February 20, 2009