Apple sues Amazon over 'App Store' trademark [CNET News]
If you're thinking of opening up your own app store like Amazon plans to for the Android mobile platform, you might want to think twice if you're planning on calling it an "app store." Before the expected debut of the Amazon Appstore, Apple has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Amazon. Apple registered the term "App Store" as a trademark when it unveiled the concept with the iPhone 3G.
Because Android is an open-source mobile OS, anyone can create their own application market. For now, Google runs the dominant Android application market, but Amazon aims to create its own developer program and storefront in an attempt to cash in on the growing Android user base.
Apple's App Store concept took off with the iPhone and iPad - with hundreds of thousands of apps available for purchase and download. Apple recently expanded the App Store to its Mac computers - creating the Mac App Store. Given the ready identification of the App Store with Apple, its not surprising that it is looking to protect its trademark against a competing mobile operating system application marketplace.
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