Did you know these laws make it possible for people to be sued for using common english words? 

Facebook sues people for using the word book
http://mashable.com/2010/08/25/facebook-teachbook-lawsuit/

Pinterest sues people for using the word pin
http://techcrunch.com/2013/10/04/pinterest-files-a-trademark-suit-against-social-travel-startup-pintrips-claims-pinning-buttons-confusingly-similar/

Timelines sues people for using the word timeline
http://www.insidefacebook.com/2013/05/03/facebook-settles-timelines-trademark-suit/

Twitter sues people for using the word tweet
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/8821577/Twitter-wins-battle-over-ownership-of-tweet-trademark.html

Or letters of the alphabet?
Toys R Us claims ownership of the letter R

Or prefixes?
McDonalds  claims ownership of the prefix: Mc

http://www.lexisnexis.com/legalnewsroom/intellectual-property/b/copyright-trademark-law-blog/archive/2011/05/12/like-a-scene-from-the-godfather-toys-r-us-tells-smokes-r-us-don-t-mess-with-the-family-of-marks-free-download.aspx