Microsoft Takes on Apple "App Store" Trademark.

Microsoft is challenging Apple's filing for a
trademark on the term "App Store," Good Gear
Guide reports, because it feels the term is generic
and that competitors should be able to use it as
well.
In its 2008 filing with the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office, Apple defined an app store as
"retail store services featuring computer software
provided via the internet and other computer and
electronic communication networks." Its App
Store was launched that year, along with the
iPhone 3GS. It now boasts more than 300,000
available apps. Most recently, Apple launched the
Mac App Store just weeks ago, for use with its
desktop computers and laptops.
Microsoft filed a motion with the Trademark Trial
and Appeal Board yesterday, challenging Apple's
claim to the term. Apple's trademark request
page says "an opposition is now pending."
Microsoft argues that both "app" and "store" are
generic terms, and that consumers use the term
"app store" generically to refer to an online store
where applications are sold. It even used Steve
Jobs' own words against him, quoting a
published interview where the Apple CEO said,
"Amazon, Verizon, and Vodafone have all
announced that they are creating their own app
stores for Android."
"Competitors should be free to use 'app store' to
identify their own stores and the services offered
in conjunction with those stores," Microsoft said.
Microsoft launched its own app store in
conjunction with the release of Windows Phone
7 devices in October. By comparison, it
had 4,000 available apps to download as of mid-
December. Research firm IDC praised the quick
ascent of the new OS's marketplace.

Source: Http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Takes+on+Apple+App+Store+Trademark/article20641.htm