Apple sue Amazon, over ‘app store’ term

Apple have taken the gloves off, suing Amazon for using the phrase ‘App Store' without their permission. Heavy hitter Apple have been fighting Microsoft in legal channels recently for the permission to trademark the term.

Apple have filed the complaint against Amazon in the federal court for the Northern District of California. They say “Consumers of mobile software downloads are likely to be confused as to whether Amazon's mobile software download service is sponsored or approved by Apple.”

Apple have registered a trademark on the phrase ‘App Store' on July 17th 2008 and they are battling against Microsoft for ownership of the term. Microsoft claim they have no legal right to take it, but Apple disagree. With Amazon now in the fray, things are starting to heat up.

Microsoft say “‘App store' is a generic name that Apple should not be permitted to usurp for its exclusive use. Competitors should be free to use ‘app store' to identify their own stores and the services offered in conjunction with those stores.”

KitGuru says: Should Apple be allowed to trademark the term ‘App Store'?

Become a Patron!