Microsoft Files Motion to Make Apple Give Up ‘App Store’

In 2008 Apple applied to trademark the term “app store”, obviously making it unusable for other companies with an app market. Microsoft is going against Apple to get that trademark removed. Currently WP7 is using the term Marketplace as the place where WP7 users go to purchase applications. Microsoft argues that the term “app store” is generic, and they should not be the only ones able to use it.

Microsoft filed a motion with the US Patent and Trademark Office to give up the name…

App store' is a generic name that Apple should not be permitted to usurp for its exclusive use. Competitors should be free to use 'app store' to identify their own stores and the services offered in conjunction with those stores.

Personally, I think that “marketplace” , “app store”, “market” are all the same exact thing. Every platform should be able to call the place to buy applications the same thing. One universal term isn’t going to hurt anyone, but I don’t think having different names is hindering anyone from selling their applications either.

Source: Gizmodo