The Graveyard
Losing this trademark in 1919 was quite a headache for Bayer AG.
What is aspirin?
An aggressive marketing campaign in the 90s helped save this gaming system from losing its trademark.
What is Nintendo Entertainment System
Since entering the public domain, this famous Van Gogh painting's elegant swirling lines have graced everything from phone cases to water bottles.
What is Starry Night?
Somewhere between Baltic Avenue and Marvin Gardens you can find the early patent for this famous board game.
What is Monopoly?
11 herbs and spices add up to one juicy trade secret for this fast food restaurant.
What is KFC?
This term for a moving staircase lost its trademark to genericide in 1950.
What is escalator?
This office equipment manufacturer's campaign succeeded in keeping its photocopying machine name a trademark.
What is Xerox?
The first iteration of this iconic cartoon character sailed into public domain in 2024.
Who is Mickey Mouse?
The 2007 patent for this revolutionary cell phone design simply listed it as an "electronic device."
What is the iPhone?
This famous general purpose lubricant can be found in most household garages, but its formula remains a closely guarded trade secret.
What is WD-40?
What is raisin bran?
About to sneeze? You better ask for a tissue and not this synonymous trademark.
What is Kleenex?
As of 2013 all of the original stories involving this famous British sleuth have finally entered the public domain.
Who is Sherlock Holmes?
A 1974 patent was issued to Roger Easton for his satellite-based technology now known by this acronym.
What is GPS?
The technology company's search algorithm is a closely held company trade secret.
What is Google?
This former trademark may have lost its teeth but over half of its generic versions carry the label "YKK"
What is a zipper?
If you're not specific about your lip balm name, Pfizer can kiss this trademark goodbye.
What is Chapstick?
Singer/Songwriter Phil Collins penned the soundtrack for this Disney movie, based on the public domain story by the same name.
What is Tarzan?
The bane of the 80s and 90s business woman, this 1958 patent submitted by Ernest G. Rice describes a "combination stocking and panty."
What is pantyhose?
This newspaper's formula for creating its famous best seller list is a trade secret it refuses to divulge.
What is the New York Times?
This heroic adhesive originally made by the Loctite Corporation lost its trademark status in 1981.
What is super glue?
After all the work its inventors put into this non-lethal force weapon, its manufacturing company would be stunned for it to lose its trademark.
What is a Taser?
While characters from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein have been in the public domain for decades, this film studio still owns the rights to the classic green skinned bolt-necked version.
What is Universal Studios?
In 1947 a patent was issued for the helical spring children's toy with the popular tagline "Everyone knows it's a this."
What is a Slinky?
For the last hundred years this number one worldwide chewing gum brand has managed to keep its minty recipe a trade secret.
What is Wrigley's?