Whenever we refer to the various application lineups from the current players in the smartphone industry (Apple, Android, WP7, RIM), we refer to the storehouse of apps as the “app store” or “app marketplace.” The term “app store” was first coined by Apple, and the term “app” served there as a shortened version of both “Apple” and “application.” Shortly after they began using the term (2007), they applied for a patent. Now, Microsoft has been trying to fight down the attempt to patent that term.
According to PC World, Microsoft has requested that the Patent and Trademark Office of the U.S. leave the name un-trademarked as it is (or at least has become) a generic term, with both the term “app” and “store” serving as descriptions of common aspects of the mobile business world. Following this argument (if you assume it’s true), Apple’s move would be the equivalent of company trademarking the term “grocery store.”
The patent from Apple, which covers any “store services featuring computer software via the Internet” would apply to all the Apple run application stores, including the ones for the iPad, iPhone, and the Mac. This would prevent competitors from using the term in just about every function that it’s currently being used in. The competitors aren’t just Microsoft and Google, however. A variety of additional “app stores,” including from Amazon, Vodafone, and Verizon, are hitting the market. The common use here is likely to help Microsoft’s case.
What’s a little surprising is that Microsoft is the company taking up this torch. After all, having just passed the 5,000 app mark, they’re currently the fifth place group when it comes to “app stores” in general. Shouldn’t Google be the one fighting this battle?
Here is a full copy of Microsoft’s filing aimed at preventing the trademark.
