When I was just out of diapers and working as a young newspaper reporter, we learned early on that certain commercial names likely would trigger a curious chain of events. For example, if a reporter used the term Kleenex in an article, it was quite possible the newspaper soon would receive a letter from a law firm representing the manufacturers of Kleenex. The lawyers gently would remind all that KIeenex was a registered trademark and that the generic term for their product should be used, i.e. “facial tissue.” Another sensitive trigger was Kitty Litter, or even the word “litter,” which quickly would draw the legal suggestion of “cat-box filler.” Only the greenest cub reporter truly was cowed by such missives. The lawyers were doing what they were paid to do: protect the client’s trademark. They had to produce a paper trail proving they were diligent in doing so. Otherwise, if usage were commonly adapted without protest, the trademark might cease to exist as a legal property, as Frigidaire became the accepted word for “refrigerator” to generations. Or that was the idea. I don’t know if anyone even does this anymore. I doubt it.
Fresh Cat-Box Filler!
By Jimmy Johnson
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72 responses to “Fresh Cat-Box Filler!”
Saying Frigidaire is alive and well in the Philippines to this day.
Frigidaire is owned by Electrolux these days. And there are still appliances made and sold under that name. My ex and I bought a front loading washer and dryer made by them over 15 years ago. She is still using them and hasn’t mentioned any problems with them to me.
My parents were married on April 1st, which became the source of many, many witticisms (or perhaps half-witticisms) from my sister and me over the years.
Happy Anniversary, Mother and Daddy!
My parent’s anniversary was on Pearl Harbor Day! But – they were married before that Day of Infamy. My sisters and I always said that the date was appropriate for the parents! Happy Anniversary to Mother Ghost and Daddy Ghost!
BTW… it is still me in my boxes!
Thanks, Gal. When “April Fool” was mentioned, my dad would often grin and say, “That’s me!” Apparently he enjoyed “playing the fool”. He and my mom celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary several months before he passed away.
I may have mentioned this before, but although my parents were married on Thanksgiving, their anniversary never landed on that day.
I’ll see your parents with a wedding anniversary of 4/1 and raise you the anniversary of my divorce, which is 2/14.
Thinking about names synonymous with products made me think about “Panty Hose”. So I went and read to verify my memory.
I personally wore garter belts and girdles longer than most women.
Panty hose were invented in 1959 amd patented. People manufactured and broke patent, lots of legal suits went on. I remember this and the name fights.
My first serious girlfriend was born on April 1. Her dad, a HS band director raised in Louisiana, insisted on naming her Merrie Lee (plus the last name).
I was going to ask if Ice Box was ever Trade Marked — but looking it up,
no but the inventor ( allowing Thomas Jefferson use in 1805) used the
word Refrigerator in his patented.
I am still me (today)
patent
.
still me
When I was a kid, we colored our books with Crayolas. We ate Jello for dessert. These days, I step on Legos.
.
And I grew up in Oklahoma where a conversation with a waitress might go…
“And what would you like to drink?”
“Oh, I’ll just have a Coke.”
“What kind?”
“A Dr. Pepper.”
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