Apple has pounced on Amazon for using the term “App Store” over which it has a legal trademark. Microsoft went after Apple over this trademark earlier this year, but this is the first we’ve seen of Apple defending it.
“Amazon has begun improperly using Apple’s App Store mark in connection with Amazon’s mobile-software developer program,” said Apple in the complaint.
Amazon has been using the term “App Store” since January, and if we’re to believe the reports this issue was percolated by the release of Angry Birds Rio on both platforms.
As much as I’m against patent/trademark trolling and think “App Store” is way to generic to be trademarked, you have to remember that since Apple was granted this trademark they have to defend against other users. If they don’t, they can lose it and the term will become generic.
What I’m worried about is if the courts allow Amazon to use this name, and then my grandmother calls me about downloading an app from “the apps stores” and they won’t work with her iPad.
Written By 