uberUber, the popular brand that helps people arrange prompt ground transportation, is now also being called a verb. The Star Tribune recently reported that the founder of iHail, a recent competitor of Uber in the Twin Cities market, would like to achieve the same anointed status: “I want iHail to become a verb, just like Uber.” So, let’s say trademark types might be cringing.

Let me know if you’re still cringing after reviewing these gems from the archives on the risk of trademark genericide through trademark verbing:

Hat tip to Joel Leviton, who by the way did a very nice job earlier today presenting “Key IP Issues in Advertising Law” at the Minnesota IP Institute in downtown Minneapolis.

My question, has Uber become the brandverb über alles? (the link exists for those of you who didn’t get the pun in the title of my post or take German in high-school)