Apple Sues Amazon Over “App Store” Trademark

Just a day after leaked shots of Amazon’s app store surfaced online, Apple filed a complaint in court that their trademark “App Store” was being used. Looks like Amazon may have accidentally ruffled some feathers.

According to a Bloomberg report, the Apple lawsuit states “Amazon has begun improperly using Apple’s App Store mark in connection with Amazon’s mobile-software developer program.”

The lawsuit claims that Apple applied to register “App Store” as a trademark back in 2008. They say that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has already approved the application.

It should be noted though that Microsoft, too, has its own beef with the copyrighted term: they are currently challenging Apple over its usage rights. In addition, Amazon has shot back, saying that their app store is called the “Amazon Appstore,” making it all one word with a lowercase ‘s.’

Amongst some of Apple’s other complaints include the fact that Amazon has begun advertising Angry Birds Rio, a game from Angry Birds developer Rovio. It is supposed to be an Amazon Appstore exclusive. It’s not Rovio’s first time leaving the iOS platform, though – they have created game for other platforms, so pardon this writer’s confusion.

(via Bloomberg)

More on TIME.com:

Here’s What Amazon’s App Store Could Look Like

Apple, Paypal, Amazon Sued Over One-Click Checkout Technology

Amazon App Store and Android Tablet in the Works?

Related Topics: app store, trademark, Amazon, Apple, Apps & Software, Gadgets
  • http://www.jv21.com/ jovike

    They could call it the Prog Shop or the Appy Valley, for example. If it looks like the App Store too then Apple should complain. Let Amazon come up with an original idea instead.

  • RichardSRussell

    I predict it will go the way of Kleenex™ and the Zipper™, trademarked names for what are known generically as “facial tissue” and “slide fasteners” but which are in common parlance AS IF they were generics, regardless of what the lawyers say.

blog comments powered by Disqus