Apple Refutes Amazon’s Claim That App Store Is Generic

By

mac-app-store

In a recent motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Apple to stop Amazon from using its “App Store” trademark, Amazon argued that the term “App Store” was as generic as “book store” or “music store”…. and quoted several remarks by Steve Jobs referring to his competitors’ offerings as “app stores” as proof.

Now Apple’s filed a rebuttal: NUH UH! App Store isn’t generic at all.

Apple’s filing was made late Thursday, asking the judge not to dismiss their lawsuit against Amazon over the recent launch of its own Appstore for Android while insisting that the term isn’t commonly used by other companies besides Apple.

That’s true, in that Amazon’s the first company to brazenly challenge Apple’s trademark by launching their own branded, competing app store, but other companies are fighting Cupertino’s trademark on other fronts. Earlier this month, Microsoft, Nokia, HTC and Sony Ericsson joined forces just last week to try to kill the trademark in Europe.

What do you think? Is Apple’s App Store trademark overreaching? Personally, I’m with Amazon: I think Apple should own it only when applied to specific platforms, like iOS App Store and Mac App Store. Let us know in the comments how you feel about it.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.