Final answer:
The correct term for the process in which a trademark becomes a generic term for a type of product or service is 'genericization.' This occurs when a brand name becomes so popular that it is used as the generic name for similar items, regardless of brand.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of an original trademark becoming a generic term for a category of products or services is known as genericization. This happens when a brand name becomes so widely recognized and dominant that it starts to be used as the standard term for similar products or services, regardless of their actual brand. For instance, while many different brands produce types of adhesive bandages, many people commonly refer to them as "Band-Aids," even though Band-Aid is a trademarked name owned by Johnson & Johnson.
Trademarks like 'aspirin', 'elevator', and 'escalator' were at one time legally protected brand names that have since become genericized. There are roughly 1.9 million trademarks registered with the U.S. government, highlighting the importance companies place on their identifying symbols and names, like the Chevrolet 'bowtie' emblem or the Nike 'swoosh'. A firm can continually renew a trademark, ensuring its protection, as long as it remains in active use.
As for the question asked by the student regarding the correct term for this phenomenon, the answer is a) Genericization.