Genericide: The Case of Laundromat

The case of "Laundromat" provides an interesting example of genericide in trademark law, where the shift from a brand name to a generic term was driven by consumer adoption of a convenient descriptor for a novel service, rather than the product's commercial success. Coined and registered by Westinghouse Electric Corporation in the 1940s, "Laundromat" originally referred to Westinghouse's automated laundry equipment. However, as self-service laundry facilities became popular, the term began to be used generically to describe any coin-operated laundry establishment, ultimately leading to the loss of its trademark protection. This case highlights the influence of language and consumer behavior on trademarks and underscores the challenges faced by companies when their brand name succinctly describes the product or service offered.