Are you one of those who use the word Xerox when photocopying? Say, “Can I have these documents Xeroxed?” If yes, then you are using the word wrong, according to this company.
In a September 12, 2019 advertisement on Philippine Daily Inquirer, Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd. reminded the public that Xerox is “not just another word for copy.”
“XEROX is a registered trademark protected by law,” read the advertisement.
“XEROX is a globally recognized registered trademark and its unauthorized use without permission of the trademark holder, whether as a trademark or trade name, or as part of trademark or trade name, is expressly forbidden by law.
The advertisement added: “As a registered trademark, Xerox is also not a verb or a common noun and should therefore not be used. So please don’t use the word “XEROX” as another word for copy.”
While the company insisted that Xerox “is not another word for copy,” some dictionaries have defined the word “Xerox” as a verb or a noun used when duplicating documents.
Even search engine Google also defines Xerox as a verb.
Google is also faced with similar issues as the word ‘google’ is being used as a verb. Google or googling means using Google search engine to obtain information on the World Wide Web.
