Opinions - Amazon launches Appstore – Apple inevitably sues

[HEXUS]

The lawyers have been called out yet again.

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[[GSV]Trig]

There should be a law against wasting people's time..

Its a Store, it sells App's..

[Infinite]

They should rename it to "Applicationstore"

[Brewster0101]

They should rename it to "Applicationstore"

App is an abbreviation of the word application. Apple are dumb as %%%% to think they own they word because they use it.

Its almost like saying no one can use the word 'pad' because it is too similar to ipad.

Think someone needs to take apple down a notch or two as their ego is a little too big. Also Apple are clearly annoyed, because that the name is very catchy and they didn't use it first.

Good for Amazon, opens a new door for app competition and distribution.

PS While Apple are sueing Amazon, maybe they should sue for Amazon selling MP3's. Lets face it no one else is allowed to since itunes did it.

[usxhe190]

All the companies sue each other on stupid things like this. Nothing to do with Apple. It's normal in the tech industry.

It's a waste of time and resources but it is so standard that I don't bat an eyelid now.

[cheesemp]

All the companies sue each other on stupid things like this. Nothing to do with Apple. It's normal in the tech industry.

It's a waste of time and resources but it is so standard that I don't bat an eyelid now.

Totally agree. These infringements are just getting silly now.

[aidanjt]

Getting?

[Hicks12]

Oh jog on Apple.... do they own the Apple name aswell then?.

Its just a bit silly, its not even in the oxford dictionary so clearly they have no ground

[g8ina]

iAmazon ?

[peterb]

Oh jog on Apple.... do they own the Apple name aswell then?.

Its just a bit silly, its not even in the oxford dictionary so clearly they have no ground

They own the Apple logo (trademarked) with the name. A few years ago there was some litigation between the Beatles (who owned the Apple Record label) and Apple computers (Beatles sued Apple). The case was settled because (at the time) Apple were not in the music industry.

This is not uncommon. If Apple have4 trademarked the Appstore name then yes, they own it. If they haven't, their case is weakened, but not necessarily fatally. But my guess is that it is sabre rattling.

[crossy]

Apple filed a complaint last Friday saying: "Amazon has begun improperly using Apple's App Store mark in connection with Amazon's mobile-software developer program,".

Err no Apple - your wallet lightener is the "App Store" whereas Amazon's is "Appstore" - one word versus two, so obviously distinct. Plus, until Appstore starts selling stuff on iOS then it's going to be obvious which is which - unless Apple are going to launch an Android-based iPhone... (yes, I am joking)

You can read a blog post from Microsoft lawyer Horacio Gutierrez here, but here's his list of the functionality he reckons Microsoft invented:

• Give people easy ways to navigate through information provided by their device apps via a separate control window with tabs;
• Enable display of a webpage's content before the background image is received, allowing users to interact with the page faster;
• Allow apps to superimpose download status on top of the downloading content;
• Permit users to easily select text in a document and adjust that selection; and
• Provide users the ability to annotate text without changing the underlying document.

Once more this seems like vindictive and selective use of intellectual property law to stifle competition or, in this case, to recoup money having failed to do so.

Totally agree with that last comment - pretty much all of those bullet points are available in other software - Adobe Reader for example. So let's see MS sue Adobe next ...

Just when you thought it was safe to stop calling Microsoft the spawn of Satan ...Sigh

However while you can install the store in the UK, it doesn't look like you can download apps yet. But Google hasn't been the first tech giant to openly challenge this Amazon initiative.

I just tried to find it on the Android Market - no sign. So I followed the link to Amazon US and logged in, only to be told:

Maybe I've got a rose-tinted view of the Goog' but I can't see them being that bothered about Amazon setting up their store. After all, it means that Amazon have to work at sanitising content, rather than Google, and it's going to mean more content for Android phones, so more eager ad-consuming users?

[Fraz]

There's enough toys money for everyone, boys.

[peterb]

Err no Apple - your wallet lightener is the "App Store" whereas Amazon's is "Appstore" - one word versus two, so obviously distinct. ---snip>

Try opening a fast food restaurant called Mack Donalds and see how long it is before you start getting some legal letters.

[Spud1]

All the companies sue each other on stupid things like this. Nothing to do with Apple. It's normal in the tech industry.

It's a waste of time and resources but it is so standard that I don't bat an eyelid now.

Agreed, happens all the time, just most of it doesn't get reported.

In this particular case I think Apple have a good case, simply due to how well known and used the phrase "App Store" is - go and ask anyone in the street under 60 the question: "What is the App Store?" and i'd bet that the vast majority will tell you that it's where you get apps for your iPhone/iPad (or a similar answer).

If anything it's just silly of Amazon to try and use the name, for the sake of simplicity w/r to consumers. Strikes me as a poor move on their part designed purely to have a go at Apple in the wake of their Microsoft suit, whilst providing a huge amount of relatively cheap advertising for them at the same time.

When Amazon eventually do change the name, you can bet your life savings that we'll all hear about it and know it's name...

[aidanjt]

Nope, you can't claim ownership of common/generic or obvious terms. App(lication) Store is an obvious and generic term for a store/shop which sells applications.

[Spud1]

Nope, you can't claim ownership of common/generic or obvious terms. App(lication) Store is an obvious and generic term for a store/shop which sells applications.

Well the US Trademark office granted the trademark to Apple as far as I know..so at least in the USA, they have it protected.