Thanks for your replies, Sber of Pelamar. I guess I *did* miss something that was obvious to everyone else :-)

...

2. Once the trademark is registered, I really don't understand why "we

have

...

to protect our trademarks". I've always thought it was a good thing for a company when its registered trademark becomes a household commodity to

the

...

extent that it becomes synonymous with the generic item.

I think, in general this is *not* considered the case. If a trademark is not used, or no action is taken to correct generic use of it, the trademark becomes invalid - you can't just let everyone call it Coke and then complain when someone else writes "Coke" on the label.

I read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark after you pointed to it, and I see what you're saying. I didn't realize the scenario that you have to defend every abuse, otherwise lose the right to ever do so. Thanks for the clarification!

~ Chitu