Apple Doesn't Own The Term "App Store," Says Amazon


Bangalore: Apple doesn’t own the term “App Store,” says Amazon as it defies the Cupertino tech giant's claim as the proprietary owner of the term. The online retailer even asked a federal judge to throw out Apple Inc's false advertising claim in a lawsuit on the same.

The lawsuit was filed by Apple in March 2011, challenging Amazon's use of the "App Store" name. Another claim was added later in November, soon after Amazon announced Kindle Fire tablet. The suit accused the online retailer of calling its app store “Amazon Appstore”, rather than Amazon Appstore for Android.” Apple told the change would bring confusion among users.

Apple also claimed that Amazon misused its "App Store" name to solicit developers for a mobile software download service.

But defying all the claims, Amazon fought back saying "app store" has become so generic that its use could not constitute false advertising.

Amazon even submitted the proof quoting Apple’s CEOs, Tim Cook having commented on "the number of app stores out there" and Jobs referring to the "four app stores on Android."

"Apple presumably does not contend that its past and current CEOs made false statements regarding to those other app stores to thousands of investors in earnings calls," Amazon said."To the contrary, the use of the term 'app store' to refer to stores selling apps is commonplace in the industry," the company added.