Microsoft is asking the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to deny Apple a trademark on the name “App Store,” saying the term is generic and competitors should be able to use it., reports “Infoworld” http://macte.ch/LvyOx).
Apple applied for the trademark in 2008 for goods and services including “retail store services featuring computer software provided via the internet and other computer and electronic communication networks” and other related offerings, the article adds. Apple launched its App Store for the iPhone that year; earlier this month Apple launched the Mac App Store.
On Tuesday, Microsoft filed a motion for summary judgment with the agency’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, asking it to deny the trademark to Apple, reports “Infoworld.” In its motion, Microsoft said “app” is a generic term for what is sold at the App Store and that “store” is generic for retail store services.