Apple is once again in news with its trademark issues and this time they have sued Amazon for using the term “App Store”. First reported by Bloomberg , the suite was filed last week after Amazon's use of the “App Store” name, which Apple filed a trademark for following the release of the iPhone 3G. The suit wants to prevent Amazon from referring the phrase on its site or in marketing materials, according to Bloomberg. Apple is also seeking damages. Amazon spokesperson Mary Osako denied comments. In a phone call with CNET, Apple spokesperson Kristin Huguet said that the move was to keep people from getting confused. “We've asked Amazon not to copy the app store name, because it will confuse and mislead customers,” Huguet said. Amazon first announced plans to enter the world of mobile-application publishing in September, unveiling a $99 developer program and an upcoming storefront called the “Appstore” that will sell Android applications outside of Google's own Marketplace application. As part of that process, Amazon gets either 70 percent of the sale price, or 20 percent of the list price (depending on what's higher). Besides Android, Amazon has hinted that it plans to expand into other operating systems, though that list is likely to not include Apple's iOS given the vertical nature both of the storefront, and the installation mechanism through iTunes on the desktop, as well as the App Store application on the mobile side. While Apple plays offense on Amazon, it's been playing defense against Microsoft over the same trademark. In January, Microsoft filed a motion against the trademark application, saying that it was too generic. Apple's response to that was then put to question by Microsoft earlier this month for trying to get around the font size, and length limits for legal briefs.
