Apple has been hoping to trademark the term “App Store” since launching the iTunes App Store in the summer of 2008. Other companies, like Amazon and Microsoft, have said that it’s a bit silly to try to trademark such a broad term, and that Apple shouldn’t have the rights to the it. A U.S. district judge is inclined to agree with everyone else but Apple.
Judge Phyillis Hamilton has said that she may reject Apple’s request to own the rights to the term “app store” – a term that Amazon says is too broad and generic for one entity to own. Amazon, like Microsoft and Google, have their very own app stores wherein they sell mobile applications, including games, social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter and helpful utilities.
Apple decided to go after Amazon for infringing on its “App Store” trademark, but it doesn’t look like things will lean in favor of Apple this time.
TG Daily reports:
But Amazon’s argument is essentially that such a claim is like saying someone can own the exclusive rights to “electronics store” or “clothing store.”
I’m inclined to agree, and since Apple’s app store has dominated the smartphone market over the past few years, losing exclusive rights to the phrase won’t likely hurt its bottom line. I think Apple should let this one go, though we all know that it just isn’t the iPhone maker’s style.
[Via: TG Daily]