Apple Sues Amazon For ‘App Store’ Trademark Infringement

According to the Telegraph, technology giants Apple are suing rival corporation Amazon for using the term ‘App Store’ for its virtual store of smartphone applications.

Apple claims that the name ‘App Store’ is trademarked and has been used by the company since July 2008. This means that by using the name for the same purpose Amazon is breaching trademark laws, according to Apple’s complaint. In the lawsuit, filed in California earlier this month, Apple states:

“Amazon has begun improperly using Apple’s App Store mark in connection with Amazon’s mobile software developer program.”

“Customers of mobile software downloads are likely to be confused as to whether Amazon’s mobile software download service is sponsored or approved by Apple.”

Apple is seeking an injunction stopping Amazon from using the name as well as claiming for damage, which Amazon will have to pay using its professional indemnity insurance should the company lose the case.

There has been some dispute, however, on whether the term ‘App Store’ is too generic to be registered as an Apple trademark. Microsoft challenged the registration last January and the US trademark appeal board is soon to review the case.

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