A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Generic refers to a word or symbol that is commonly used to describe an entire type of product or service, rather than to distinguish one product or service from another. For example, "raisin bran" is a generic term used by several manufacturers of breakfast cereals to describe their products.

Generic terms cannot receive trademark protection because they do not serve the basic function of trademarks, which is to distinguish goods and services in the marketplace. Instead, individuals use generic terms to refer to a type of product.

It is possible for a trademark to become generic over time, through a process called genericide. This happens when a term becomes so commonly used to describe a type of product that it loses its ability to distinguish one brand from another. For example, "escalator" was once a trademarked term, but it became so widely used to describe moving stairs made by any company that it lost its trademark status.

Examples:

• "Kleenex" is a brand of facial tissue, but many people use the term "Kleenex" to refer to any brand of facial tissue. This is an example of a trademark that is in danger of becoming generic.
• "Aspirin" was once a trademarked term for a type of pain reliever, but it became so widely used that it lost its trademark status and is now considered a generic term.

These examples illustrate how a trademark can become generic over time if it is used too commonly to describe a type of product. Once a term becomes generic, it can no longer be protected by trademark law.