What is an App Store? Not a store for apps apparently!

Posted by Linda Curtis On Saturday, May 21st 2011 in Technology

According to Apple and app store is not a generic term used to describe a store for applications, but rather a licensed term that can be used only to describe the Apple App Store: "Apple denies that, based on their common meaning, the words 'app store' together denote a store for apps," the company stated on Thursday while filling at the Californian district court.

There have been several law suits made by Apple against other tech giants made on these grounds. In March, Apple sued Amazon for the use of the Amazon App Store name, considering that the term app store belonged exclusively to Apple due to its iTunes App Store. Next Microsoft was picked as a target on similar grounds.

Trying to argue the claims, Amazon stated that the term “app store” is too generic and shouldn’t belong exclusively to Apple. It gave the “American Dialect Society” as an example as they voted the term “app” as the word of the year 2010. They mentioned "that although the word 'has been around for ages,' it 'really exploded in the last 12 months,' with the arrival of 'app stores' for a wide spectrum of operating systems for phones and computers.' Indeed the words 'app store' are commonly used among many businesses in the app store market."

Of course, Apple is denying the claim: "Apple denies that the words 'app store' are commonly used among many businesses to describe mobile software download services and further denies that the term 'app store market' is used to describe the market for mobile software download services."

Still, the others don’t back down either. Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, and Sony Ericsson gathered together and asked European officials to invalidate Apple’s trademarks.

Merennulli 11.05.21 22:04

So how long before the well-justified Mac-bashing gets around to Apple denying the word "buy" means the product is yours after you pay money for it?

Watch out for those zebra crossings, Apple...

Avi 11.05.21 22:54

Capital B. Capital S. Hey Apple suck my Capital D***

Billy3va 11.05.21 23:20

I really think there should stop trademarking common combinations of words. If they trademark it there should be limits if the it becomes common in the English language.

In Delaware slot machines are illegal. But what you call a slot machine everywhere else is call a "Video Lottery" machine by state law. ...point is... If you don't like the laws rename what you have something else.

Mike Tomlin 11.05.21 23:34

Apple beats them all to it again.

Fan boys? Nice try. The most valuable company in the world as their stuff just works and is supported by a great store, great support and quality design.

The iPhone was the intro item to get people to go "Wow, this is how apple's other products work, too?". Then it was the iPad.

Other photos and tablets can do more, but the apple products do 99% of what the average purchaser needs, hence why they sell so well.

BB, Intel, MS, Dell, etc are all flailing while apple runs off into the sunset.

Mike

Maverick 11.05.21 23:38

Everyone that grows apples should sue Apple for use of the name. Idiots

Steve 11.05.22 00:19

iPhascists

Robert 11.05.22 00:36

Since there was no "App Store" until Apple invented it almost 3 years ago it only seems fair they should be the only one able to use it. In all respect if we change the law to let Amazon, Google and Microsoft use what is not theirs without paying proper compensation to Apple then shouldn't we do the same thing to Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.

How about Words like Office, Google, and even Amazon.... These are actually less unique. App Store at least is a two work combination.

Phaedra 11.05.22 00:41

Heil Apple, Heil Apple. No, really, it such a cool company with these awesome products... dude. Heil Apple!

jsk 11.05.22 02:18

@ Merennulli: Darn it. You beat me to the obscure HHGTTG reference!

jbanger 11.05.22 06:51

@ Mike Tomlin - marry your mac dude, for sure you will live a happy life.
@ Robert - Office is a word defined in every English language dict. MS Office on the other hand is TM. Google is less unique than App Store???? You must be creative indeed. I guess Brazil should be suing Amazon then.

Apple neither invented the word "App" nor "Store"... Honestly what else do you wanna call it!?