Letter to Linguistik Department of Harvard, Yale, Stanford, US Embassy und Trade Department
Help for court proceedings in Germany - origin and meaning of the word hacky sack – Linguist Dept. Ladies and Gentlemen in Germany there is a law firm that sued small entrepreneurs because of using the word hacky sack. They are asking for 5.000 Dollar compensation; they claim to have the trademark rights to this word. We see it differently; the word has existed far longer than the brand. Hacky Sack is a generic term used worldwide. Hacky Sack was never incorporated in the United States. A hacky sack is a ball filled with hay; this term has been used for about 4000 years (according to Wikipedia) In everyday life, one is repeatedly confronted with brands, which are often used as a generic designation. Here are some examples where this might apply: Coke (cola drink) flip flop (swim sandals) Jeep (SUV) Hacky Sack (Ball) These well-known brands are often used as a generic product name in consumer circles. Hacky Sack has evolved over time into a commonly used term or trade name and the mark...