Wildboards Company introduces a product called a "Rollerboard" for which it is granted a registered trademark.The Rollerboard is a snowboard with a removable row of wheels along the center of the underside.With the wheels attached,the user can attain extremely high speed in hard packed snow conditions.In addition,many users have found that they can use their snowboards on streets with the wheels attached.This new use of snowboards becomes very popular,and many competing snowboard makers introduce similar products.The sport becomes known generally as rollerboarding and most people refer to all such wheeled snowboards as rollerboards.The consequence of this is that:
A) Wildboards cannot stop competitors from using the term "rollerboard" for their products.
B) competitors must pay royalties to Wildboards for using the term "Rollerboard."
C) Wildboards can no longer use the name Rollerboard on its boards.
D) competitors must put a disclaimer on its boards that they are not the original Rollerboard.
E) Wildboards can stop competitors from using the term "Rollerboard" for their products.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Once a trademark becomes a generic term used to describe a category of goods or services, the trademark owner loses exclusive rights to use the mark. In this case, since "rollerboard" has become a generic term used to describe wheeled snowboards, Wildboards cannot stop competitors from using the term on their products.

Wildboards Company Introduces a Product Called a "Rollerboard" for Which