Apple Sues Amazon Over 'App Store' Trademark

Apple has sued Amazon.com over its use of the 'App Store' name, citing trademark infringement and unfair competition in a filed complaint. The corporation behind the iPhone and iPad has also asked a federal court to prevent Amazon from using the 'App Store' name, reports financial website Bloomberg. The complaint, filed on March 18, states, "Amazon has begun improperly using Apple’s App Store mark in connection with Amazon’s mobile-software developer program. "Amazon has unlawfully used the App Store mark to solicit software developers throughout the United States,” it continues. Apple says that it registered 'App Store' as a trademark in the U.S., and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office approved the application. Kristin Huguet, a spokeswoman for Apple, said of the complaint, "We’ve asked Amazon not to copy the App Store name because it will confuse and mislead customers." The court filing notes that Apple attempted to contact Amazon about the use of the name three times, but no "substantive response" was received. The Amazon Appstore will launch later today with 3,800 apps available to download for Android, according to All Things Digital. The store will be available at amazon.com/appstore. Earlier in the year, Microsoft disputed Apple's 'App Store' trademark, stating that "Any secondary meaning or fame Apple has in 'App Store' is de facto secondary meaning that cannot convert the generic term 'app store' into a protectable trademark."