Microchip is under the (mistaken, I think) impression that "Flash" is
    a generic term for "electrically-erasable".

Nonsense.  Microchip is under the impression that "flash" is a more
marketable buzzword than EEPROM, and that they can get away with calling
their chips "flash microcontrollers" to compete with the likes of Atmel, TI,
and Motarola; regardless of the details of the underlying electronics.

I think they're probably right.

It would be an interesting case of poetic justice if Intel's lawyers showed
up on their doorstep claiming infringement of the flash patents...

 :-)
BillW