Microsoft cites Amazon Appstore in continued opposition to Apple trademark

the8thark · Mar 30, 2011

Microsoft cites Amazon Appstore in continued opposition to Apple trademark
AppleInsider | Microsoft cites Amazon Appstore in continued opposition to Apple trademark

Microsoft has fired the latest salvo in a legal dispute over Apple's "App Store" trademark, citing the launch of the Amazon Appstore as proof of a "competitive need" for generic use of the term.

robduckyworth · Mar 30, 2011

Solution:

"Mac App Store"

"Win App Store"

and so on... you tell me what has more of a ring to it.

the8thark · Mar 30, 2011

All my friends know the App store is from Apple. Not cause app is short for application. But cause to them App is short for Apple. So the two go together. MS and others can use the word App. I know both Apple and Application staring with App is just a co-incidence, but it's a good one.

But most people will think of Apple when they think of Apps. MS and co need to come up with their own catchy phrase, trademark it and get people to remember that. Just always trying to copy Apple is not the way to win.

Borix · Mar 30, 2011

App is short for Apple??? Are they serious?

Steve J. is always talking about great apps (Garageband, iPhoto). So he is always talking about great Apples?

Apple can use the term "App Store" as far as I am concerned, but using this defense is not believable. App Store = Apple's Application Store imo.

Apple cannot logically be abbreviated to App, it makes no sense.

robduckyworth · Mar 30, 2011

8thark is saying that to some people, they associate "App" with Apple. thats obviously not what SJ is going for. it just happened by accident.

Shikarnov · Mar 30, 2011

Interestingly enough, I just went over to uspto.gov to search for App Store and there were five entries -- none of which belong to Apple. So either the trademark database isn't updated as often as it should be, or Apple's going to have a tougher case to make against either MS or Amazon than we thought.

iggibar · Mar 30, 2011

Shikarnov said:
Interestingly enough, I just went over to uspto.gov to search for App Store and there were five entries -- none of which belong to Apple. So either the trademark database isn't updated as often as it should be, or Apple's going to have a tougher case to make against either MS or Amazon than we thought.

Not only does Apple hold patents under different countries, but they also hold patents under different names.

Shikarnov · Mar 30, 2011

Parents are not trademarks.

Chris H. · Mar 30, 2011

Shikarnov said:
Parents are not trademarks.

Command+Space "patent" and the Thesaurus will tell you that a Patent is a Trademark.

harryb2448 · Mar 30, 2011

There is a difference however between 'parent' and 'patent'!

the8thark · Mar 31, 2011

Chris H. said:
Command+Space "patent" and the Thesaurus will tell you that a Patent is a Trademark.

I think that, that is just saying they are words with similar meanings. Which is true cause we all know a patent is similar but not exactly the same as a trademark.

Kash · Mar 31, 2011

Patents and trademarks are nowhere close to being similar. Patents are for inventions, trademarks are source identifiers. One cannot be used in place of the other.

Apple holds a trademark in its name and the name of its products (iPod, iPad, Macbook, etc.). Apple holds patents on the technologies behind those products (the A4/A5 chips, the touchscreen technology, the multitouch gestures).

Additionally, it is not required that you have a trademark registered with the USPTO. It just gives you a stronger case when you have to litigate.

the8thark · Mar 31, 2011

Kash said:
It just gives you a stronger case when you have to litigate.

And since apple are being sued every day . . . . well you know why Apple patent/trademark everything.

Shikarnov · Mar 31, 2011

Chris H. said:
Command+Space "patent" and the Thesaurus will tell you that a Patent is a Trademark.

But a thesaurus is not a dictionary. :Smirk:

harryb2448 said:
There is a difference however between 'parent' and 'patent'!

lol. Touché.

Kash · Mar 31, 2011

Evidently the thesaurus is also wrong