TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: The word "documentation" -Reply From:Suzette Seveny <sseveny -at- PETVALU -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 23 Jun 1998 16:40:26 -0400
Actually, the term "Xerox" is protected, as is "Coke" and "Pepsi", and I
believe "Kleenex" is as well. Though we may use them in casual
conversation, to refer to them in formal documents would be an infringement
(unless of course, you refer to a "xerox" and it actually was produced on a
Xerox copier). In restaurants, when patrons order a "coke" and the
establishment uses a competitive cola, they are legally obligated to ask if
the alternative would be acceptable (you should see their face though, if
you say "No" - I did that once!).
The usage of the words follow a different rule, because they are actual
names of companies, and steps have been taken to preserve the Company name
and not allow it to become a common term.
My knowledge comes from working for one of the above-named companies, and
being involved in the process to protect the name.
Suzette
Mike Stockman wrote:
snip> Not to pick non-tech writing nits here or anything, but most of the
> people I know never use Kleenex as a generic noun,
>
snip> I also don't tell people I'm going to "Xerox" something,
>
>
