Did you know that Band-Aid, Jacuzzi, Jet Ski, Memory Stick, Post-It, Super Glue, Taser, Vaseline, Velcro and Xerox are all legally protected trademarks? They might be used generically by consumers but cannot be used by their competitors. Here’s a list of marks that have been registered as trademarks and are actively enforced by their trademark owners.
Band-Aid

Generic name: Adhesive bandage
Bubble wrap

Generic name: Inflated cushioning
Chapstick

Generic name: Lip balm
Dumpster

Generic name: Front loader waste container
Fiberglass

Generic name: Glass wool
Frisbee

Generic name: Flying disc

Generic name: Internet search engine
Hula hoop

Generic name: Toy hoop
Jacuzzi

Generic name: Hot tub or whirlpool bath
Jeep

Generic name: Compact sport utility vehicle
Jet Ski

Generic name: Stand-up personal watercraft
La-Z-Boy

Generic name: Reclining chair/sofa
Lava lamp

Generic name: Liquid motion lamp
Memory Stick

Generic name: Flash memory storage device
NOS

Generic name: Nitrous
Photoshop

Generic name: Photo manipulation
Ping Pong

Generic name: Table tennis
Plasticine

Generic name: Modelling clay
Polaroid

Generic name: Instant camera
Popsicle

Generic name: Ice Pop; ice lolly (UK)
Post-it

Generic name: Sticky note
PowerPoint

Generic name: Slide show presentation program
Realtor

Generic name: Real estate agent
Rollerblade

Generic name: Inline skates
Scotch Tape

Generic name: Clear adhesive tape (US)
Super Glue

Generic name: Cyanoacrylate adhesive
Super Heroes

Generic name: Superhero
Taser

Generic name: Electroshock weapon, stun gun
Teflon

Generic name: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
Vaseline

Generic name: Petroleum jelly, petrolatum
Velcro

Generic name: Hook-and-loop fastener
Walkman

Generic name: Personal stereo
Xerox

Generic name: Photocopy
Ziploc

Generic name: Zipper storage bag
Former trademarks that are now generic terms due to common use
Here’s a list of former trademarks that have now lost legal protection by becoming the common name of the relevant product or service, as determined in court. Some of these might still retain trademark protection in certain countries despite being generic in others.
Aspirin

Trademark owner: Bayer
Cat’s eye

Trademark owner: Reflecting Roadstuds Limited
Cellophane

Trademark owner: Innovia Films (Europe) / DuPont (US)
Dry ice

Trademark owner: Dry Ice Corporation of America
Escalator

Trademark owner: Otis Elevator Company
Heroin

Trademark owner: Friedrich Bayer & Co
Kerosene

Trademark owner: Abraham Gesner
Laundromat

Coin laundry shop
Sellotape

Owner: Henkel
Thermos

Vacuum flask
Trampoline

Videotape

Former trademarks that are now generic terms due to reasons other than common use
Here’s a list of former trademarks that have now lost legal protection due to abandonment, non-renewal or improper issuance. Some of these might still retain trademark protection in certain countries despite being generic in others.
App

App Store

Yo-yo

Zipper

Hope this post was of interest to you. How many trademarks (past or present) were you aware of? Did we miss any? Share this post and your views in the comments below.