This would make some good reading for some...

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/meponym.html

jimt
On 10/15/05 8:03 PM, "Robert Fisher" <refisher@MCHSI.COM> wrote:

> As I understand it, the owners of the trademarks 'xerox' and 'band-aid'
> (among others) lost certain rights associated with the trademarks in part
> because they didn't aggressively defend those rights against casual use in
> publications, etc. That is to say, it became common to say you would 'xerox'
> something as opposed to copying it, and you would put a 'band-aid' on a cut
> instead of using an adhesive bandage. They didn't move aggressively to stop
> that 'erosion' of uniqueness so they lost the right to claim it anymore. I'm
> sure that's an oversimplification, but I believe that's the gist of it.