genericizing
Stripping brand identity
Genericizing is turning a proper noun into a common word, or treating a brand name as if it were generic.
Kleenex, Xerox, and Google all started as trademarks but became genericized through widespread use as common nouns or verbs: The company worried that genericizing would weaken their trademark.
The process often happens despite corporate resistance.
Extending to all cases
- standardizingEstablishing uniform criteria
- homogenizingMaking consistent throughout
- normalizingMaking conform to norms
- abstractingCondensing to essentials
categorizing · typifying · stereotyping · simplifying · flattening · reducing · decontextualizing · averaging
Quality of being distinguishable
- infringementViolation of rights
- brand protectionGuarding corporate identity assets
- public domainUnprotected creative works
- market saturationMaximum product penetration reached
Acetylsalicylic acid tablet
- Band-AidBranded adhesive strip
- ThermosInsulated beverage container
- StyrofoamExtruded foam insulation brand
- RollerbladeBranded inline skating footwear
Popsicle · Photoshop · Google · dilution · proprietary · eponym · common usage
Increasing in extent
- extensionAdded part or duration
- bleachingChemical color removal
- wideningIncreasing in extent
- abstractionDistilling to essential qualities
popularization · democratization · mainstreaming · universalizing
universalizing
Extending to all cases
- standardizingEstablishing uniform criteria
- homogenizingMaking consistent throughout
- normalizingMaking conform to norms
abstracting · categorizing · typifying · stereotyping · simplifying · flattening · reducing · decontextualizing · averaging · commodifying
distinctiveness
Quality of being distinguishable
- infringementViolation of rights
- brand protectionGuarding corporate identity assets
- public domainUnprotected creative works
Aspirin
Acetylsalicylic acid tablet
- Band-AidBranded adhesive strip
- ThermosInsulated beverage container
- StyrofoamExtruded foam insulation brand
Rollerblade · Popsicle · Photoshop · Google · dilution · proprietary · eponym · common usage
broadening
Increasing in extent
abstraction · popularization · democratization · mainstreaming · universalizing
genericizingspecifying
Stating precisely
particularizing · individualizing · distinguishing · singularizing · customizing
genericizingdifferentiating
Identifying distinct features
distinguishing · specializing · customizing · setting apart · individualizing
genericize, genericized, generic, generically, generics, genus, genera, general, generally