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Apple Sues Amazon.com Over App Store Trademark
tekgoblin writes "Apple is suing Amazon.com over the use of Apple's trademarked App Store name in their mobile software developer program. Apple filed the suit back on March 18th, which detailed the trademark infringement and unfair competition which Apple felt was happening. Apple's statement in the suit reads: 'Amazon has begun improperly using Apple's App Store mark in connection with Amazon's mobile software developer program.' Apple also said, 'We've asked Amazon not to copy the App Store name because it will confuse and mislead customers.'"
Actually, "app" is the file extension NeXT chose for application bundles. Since OS X and iOS are NeXTStep derrived, they too use the app extension. When you visit the App Store, you really are buying "app"s. Microsoft opening an EXE Store would be a better example of another company doing something similar.
I was always under the impression it was called the iTunes App Store. Although I realize my opinion has no weight in the larger scheme of things, I'd see a problem if Amazon called it the aTunes App Store or something...but App Store in the American vocabulary does not mean iTunes App Store. My mom calls the Android Market the app store. I don't see anyone getting confused, as most people call any application distribution platform an app store.
And by the way, Google's app store is called the Android Market, which is very specific, and leaves no confusion about what it is. Amazon can open a 'market' or an 'amazon market' but they can't open an Android Market.