Apple sues Amazon over ‘App Store’

Apple has launched a legal move to block Amazon from using the “App Store” trademark for its “Android Appstore”, which launched in the US this week.

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Amazon’s Appstore will let online shoppers download and pay for apps using gift vouchers and credit cards associated with their Amazon accounts.

However, legal papers filed by Apple in the US have petitioned court authorities to prevent the online retailer from using the name “Appstore”, according to reports.

Apple claims that Amazon’s use of the name infringes upon its own patent and is also misleading to consumers.

“Amazon has begun improperly using Apple’s App Store mark in connection with its mobile-software developer program,” read the complaint from Apple.

Amazon’s launch of the outlet has been much-anticipated and Rovio has debuted an Android version of its Angry Birds Rio exclusively on the outlet.

However, Amazon has yet to publicly comment on the complaint and judgement has yet to be passed on the proceedings.

The move comes after Apple became embroiled in a legal dispute with Microsoft over its attempt to patent the term “App Store”.

Microsoft countered Apple’s trademark claim with the US Patent & Trademark Office, arguing that “App Store” is too generic to warrant use by just one company, especially since other technology companies, including itself, Nokia and Google, sell apps via their own stores.

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