Capitalize Trade Names and Brand Names
Capitalization
Rulebase Summary
Capitalize a trade name or brand name but do not capitalize the generic word following it unless that word is part of the registered trade name. Check the spelling of trade names because some have unusual internal capitalization.
Examples
A. She handed me a band-aid and some aspirin.
A. She handed me a Band-Aid and some aspirin.
Band-Aid is a trade name — capitalize it. Aspirin has become a generic word.
A. They installed astroturf on the practice field.
A. They installed AstroTurf on the practice field.
Trade names retain their unusual capitalization — check spelling for each one.
Transcript Notes
Capitalize the brand name but not the generic product that follows it. Some brand names have become generic over time — check an up-to-date dictionary. Capitalization can also distinguish meaning when a brand name has a generic lowercase counterpart.
Style Guide References (2)
Morson's
BGGP